10 November Vecernji List from Zagreb reports briefly that diplomatic sources have confirmed that Croatia will be signing the EU Treaty in Brussels, during the Summit of Heads of EU rather than in Warsaw later on as originally thought. (http://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/hrvatska-9-prosinca-potpisuje-pristupni-ugovor-bruxellesu-clanak-344898)

Whether joining the EU on 1 July 2013 will benefit the Croatian people is yet to be seen. Regardless of that, it is a monumental achievement for Croatia – it had a most difficult and rigorous path to EU. Its steadfastness and resolve to “hang in there” amidst adversities and stumbling blocks are praise worthy.

Briefly this was the long arduous path for Croatia to get here:

• December 2004 EU agrees to begin accession talks with Croatia in March 2005;
• March 2005 EU delays talks on Croatia’s membership giving Croatia’s inability to arrest General Ante Gotovina, who was wanted by the ICTY in the Hague, as its reason for the delay;
• October 2005 EU agrees to go ahead with accession talks even though Gotovina was still “at large” / Slovenian parliament declared the ecological zone in the Adriatic with rights to protect and use the sea bed;
• December 2005 Gotovina arrested in Spain and taken to the Hague;
• November 2006 – more delays for Croatian path to EU. EU report says Croatia needs to do more in tackling corruption and dealing with non-Croats;
• November 2008 European Commission expresses that Croatia is likely to end accession talks by 2009 and become a member by 2011, but demands tougher actions against corruption and organised crimes;
• February 2009 Slovenia threatens to block Croatia from joining the EU in a continuing dispute over borders;
• April 2009 Croatia becomes a member of NATO
• June 2009 – The EU cancels the next round of EU membership talks with Croatia, citing a lack of progress in resolving a long-standing border row with neighbouring Slovenia;
• November 2009 Slovenia lifts the block on Croatia’s EU membership talks as international mediators move in;
• June 2011 Croatia successfully completes EU membership negotiations.

Whatever the outcome of 4 December general elections in Croatia will be, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor deserves to be the one to sign on the Croatian signature dotted line. Since becoming the Prime Minister in July 2009 she focused on the job of achieving the rigorous standards imposed by EU. Certainly, much work has yet to be done for Croatia but it is a relatively young democracy and it has achieved more in 20 years than some have in 50. Croatia will be placed under EU monitoring of the changes that needed to be made and still need to be made and maintained. It seems distrust of Croatia’s resolve to perfect itself in becoming a well functioning democracy lingers on in EU and yet look at the mess it is in itself at the moment! Ina Vukic, Prof.(Zgb), B.A.,M.A.Ps.(Syd)