Croatia's next step in EU accession process blocked

Slovenia blocked Croatia from taking the next step in the EU accession negotiating process when it refused to back the opening of chapters covering regional policy; justice, freedom and security issues; the environment and the free circulation of capital.

Slovenia justified its decision its refusal to open the chapters by the fact that the current outgoing government is only managing day-to-day matters until a new cabinet is drawn up and the parliament resumes.

Croatia has now completed four out of 35 thematic chapters since EU accession talks started in 2005.