EU unblocks frozen Croatia aid

Brussels: The European Commission has unblocked 80 million euros ($125.6 million) in pre-accession aid for Croatia, a spokeswoman said on Friday.

The fund had been frozen because of concerns over mismanagement in the country.

The green light on Croatian funds comes after Brussels suspended almost 500 million euros in pre-accession aid granted to new member Bulgaria over corruption concernts.

The French EU presidency said that after Friday's session, Croatia will have opened 21 of the 35 chapters or policy areas into which EU law is divided, and concluded three chapters.

"The goal of the presidency is, if requirements are met, to open nearly all negotiation chapters (with Croatia) and close as many as possible by the end of the year," a presidency statement said.