After four years of intense negotiations and deep reforms Croatia approaches the final straight line in its way towards the European Union. Brussels thinks that if the ancient Yugoslavian republic - expires on time with the hanging criteria, the negotiations of adherence might end next year. -

Community sources assume that Croatia might be the 28th member of the Union by 2012. The commissioner responsible for the EU Enlargement, Olli Rehn, showed yesterday that Iceland might join to the Union in the same date as Croatia. The advances of Croatia are a clear indicator of the registered progresses of general form for the entire set of Balkan countries. In this sense, after candidate or applicant presented the reports on the progress and hanging problems in every country to the EU, Rehn added that - the strategy of enlargement is a test of our to the European future of the Western Balkans and Turkey -.

- In these difficult times of economic crisis -, he added, - the requests of commitment adherence of Albania and Montenegro indicate the continuo of our Union and our role in the promotion of the stability, the safety and the prosperity -. Croatia, with a population of 4,4 million inhabitants, has opened the negotiation of 28 of 35 chapters, of which 13 already have been closed by the agreement.

Brussels emphasizes the progress in new legislation and the administrative changes impelled by the Government of Zagreb especially in - the judicial system and the struggle against the corruption and the organized crime -, according to the report of the Commission presented yesterday. Other advances are registered in the reduction of hanging cases earlier in the courts of law, and the steps given to solve the problems of the minorities, especially the gypsies.

The report points out, nevertheless, that the Government of Zagreb will have to intensify its reforms especially - to improve the independence and efficiency of the judicial system - and - fight against the organized crime and the corruption -. On the other hand, - the Iceland's request for adherence -, points out the commissioner, - adds a new dimension to our agenda of enlargement -.

Iceland, one of the countries most struck by the recent financial crisis, has showed its will to intensify its negotiations for a prompt integration, which might coincide with that of Croatia. According to Rehn, if both countries - are ready more or less at the same time, and if the difference is a few months, then from the point of view of the EU, it would be reasonable that both countries reach the closure at the same time -.

The march of Turkey, which began the adherence negotiations on October 3, 2005, is equally valuable but much slower. The open opposition of France and Germany and the ballast of the territorial conflict with Cyprus would be the fundamental obstacles. Until now Turkey has opened 11 out of 33 negotiation chapters and has merely managed to close the politically the easiest one, as the one of Science and Investigation.

Rehn praised the mutual normalization in Turkey and Armenia relations, which - constituted a historical step and the EU welcomes it as a contribution to the stability of the region -. Brussels also sees as a positive gesture the opening of the public television channel in Kurdish language.

Nevertheless, the report is very critical towards the existing problems on the subject of domestic violence. The report mentions an investigation according to which 39 % of the women say to have been a victims of physical violence and 15 % of them having suffered sexual abuses. Commissioner Rehn expressed his worry for the shortcomings on the subject of freedom of expression, where - the intellectuals keep on feeling bothered by his declarations -.