1st of July of 2013. This is the date in when Croatia will become the 28th member of the European Union. Exactly 8 years after its initial bid, accession talks between the ex-yugoslav country and the Union were finalized on Wednesday. Now, the 300 page long treaty is set to be signed by all European heads of state during the upcoming summit in Brussels.
Unlike Romania and Bulgaria's accession in 2007, Croatia's treaty does not include a "safeguard clause" that would slow down the process if final requirements were not met by the croatian state. But recent scandals of corruption will see the Union closely monitoring Croatia's battle against corruption. In 2009, the former prime minister Ivo Sanader was accused of fraud as he allegedly sent money from state-own companies to a fund for personal use.
Croatian authorities have independently decided to hold a referendum on the EU membership. Recent polls showed that 61% of Croats would vote in favour.
The prospect of EU membership comes straight after ...
