Višnja Samardžija EU membership criteria but its objectives will be reflected in the EU's policies towards the whole South-East European region in the areas that could be considered priorities for the countries' overall reforms. Being a candidate country, Croatia does not share the same responsibilities regarding the Lisbon Strategy objectives as the EU member states. However, by entering into negotiations on EU membership, Croatia committed itself to accepting the acquis and to harmonising policies with EU programmes and strategic documents. The country is therefore facing the challenge of approaching the Lisbon goals together with the basic obligation to fulfil the Copenhagen criteria, although both challenges are not an obligation at this stage. The screening process highlighted some of the areas in which Croatia should start with preparations to implement Lisbon Strategy goals. Primarily these“soft” obligations start with the need to horizontally adopt the Lisbon instruments, in order to be able to implement policy measures practically. The integrated guidelines are also relevant for Croatia as a candidate country, remembering that some of the issues covered by IGs are also underlined(in a less demanding shape) in the Accession Partnership for Croatia. IGs are more demanding, but the priorities of the Accession Partnership could be understood as a first stage in approaching the IG targets. Croatia needs to prioritise the Lisbon goals, bearing in mind the specific situation in the country. Its starting position in different areas covered by the strategy, and it must realistically assess its own possibilities of implementation. Some progress has been made in achieving the Lisbon goals, but this has lacked a coherent approach and is insufficient in coverage. It is necessary to raise awareness that approaching the Lisbon Strategy goals is crucial not only for being able to successfully undertake the obligations of a future member state, but also for achieving the Copenhagen criteria and overall implementation of reforms. It is also necessary to raise awareness and the level of understanding of the Lisbon Agenda implementation mechanisms and their relevance for the process of approaching the EU. The strategy will remain the principal reform framework for the EU during the period of Croatia's accession, meaning that it will lead to raising overall EU standards and thus will make Croatia's adjustment to EU requirements even more demanding than was the case with previous candidates. 32