Croatia finally joins the EU

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inavukic

July 4, 2013

Brian Gallagher: 1 July saw the accession of Croatia to the European Union. There are number of aspects to think about: benefits, what the EU expects and the EU’s view of Croatia as some kind of example to the ‘Western Balkans’. There will also be unexpected results of EU membership. Let us consider some of these issues.

Croatia Business Report

By CBR Editor Brian Gallagher

1 July saw the accession of Croatia to the European Union. There are number of aspects to think about: benefits, what the EU expects and the EU’s view of Croatia as some kind of example to the ‘Western Balkans’. There will also be unexpected results of EU membership. Let us consider some of these issues.

Although EU membership been a long-term goal for Croatia, public reaction in Croatia has been bit muted. Although turnout for the referendum was low, the result was a yes for joining the EU. This probably reflects a lack of enthusiasm for the EU in terms its bureaucracy and so on but also a desire to join the European mainstream.

One benefit of joining the EU is that the prospect of membership can no longer be used against Croatia – such as Slovenia’s antics over border issues. There are other benefits…

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One response to “Croatia finally joins the EU”

Klara

July 8, 2013

Brian, I like your article about Croatia accession to the EU. I just wish to “help” you with this (quote):”As the SDP emerged from the old Communist party many voters will now wonder if the party have really changed or come to terms with the past.” NO. The voters are not wondering anymore: they have NOT changed. They are worse. They are worse because one would expect that they have learnt something from the past…but they didn’t. Prime minister (Milanovic) is basically not the one who is running the country; it’s the old guys with their communist and “antifa” (antifascist) mindset: President Josipović, Vesna Pusic (minister of foreign affairs), Josip Leko (president of the Parliament), the notorious Josip Manolic, the “transcripts dealer” and “the Hague false witness” ex – president Mesic and others. Our PM ( for whom dr. Nikica Gabric, Head of the National Forum, a think-thank and likely the future political party, said in one interview that he is an “unfinished” personality with over-exaggerated “ego”) is just a toy in the hands of those yugofiles. As the things are going here in Croatia, this impotent coalition will not last long.

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I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia. I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.

Croatia, the War, and the Future