On July 1, 2013, Croatia will officially join the European Union, becoming the 28th official member state after six years of negotiations. This past December, Croatia and the EU signed the Treaty of Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union that all parliaments of member states will eventually ratify. The Croatian Parliament must also sign this treaty after Croatian citizens have approved it. In a 2012 poll, 66 per cent of Croatian citizens voted in favour of joining the EU. This number marks the highest approval rating since negotiations began over six years ago.

History shows that the EU builds strong, cooperative bonds between countries. Croatia will be no exception- David Casa

Croatia originally applied for membership in 2003 and the negotiation process finally commenced in 2005. Negotiations seemed to be moving relatively smoothly until the cold winter months in 2008, when a border dispute with Slovenia threatened to uproot everything that had been accomplished over the previous three years.

Since the collapse of Yugoslavia, both countries had been arguing over the Gulf of Piran, which is situated on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The gulf is in a critical location as Slovenian ships pass through the bay on their journey home.

According to Croatia, the bay should be split down the middle. Slovenia, however, wanted full ownership because it feared that the Croatian government would block access to the bay, thus disrupting their shipping route. This disagreement has also had an impact on both countries’ fishing industries.

Although Croatia has the advantage of size and numbers, Slovenia has the advantage of political power in the European Union.

A member since 2007, Slovenia stood as a threat to Croatia’s entry into the EU because it could potentially veto Croatia’s bid. Slovenia claimed that the documents submitted to the EU by Croatia in its application had the potential to hurt Slovenia, given that the documents included maps of Croatia’s borders that were the centre of controversy.

For nearly a year it seemed as though this dispute might prevent Croatia’s accession to the EU. However, political pressure on Slovenia from other member states in the late autumn of 2009 finally put an end to the dispute. In exchange for Slovenia lifting its veto, both countries consented to settling the matter by arbitration. This process officially began in January and is being led by an arbitral tribunal that is comprised of five members.

After the arbitration agreement in 2009, negotiations were taken up again and, in December of 2011, Croatia finally signed the Treaty of Accession, making a historical move forward on its journey towards EU membership. Many hope that Croatia’s inclusion in the EU will serve as an example for other countries in the region to increase cooperation with Europe.

Currently, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Serbia have applied for EU membership. Some believe that these countries may follow closely behind Croatia in the completion of the application and accession process.

Whether or not these states are ultimately incorporated has yet to be determined. However, their applications for membership are evidence of an ever-growing interest in the EU.

Just like with all other EU enlargement rounds, the membership of Croatia promises to increase economic prosperity. Within the European community, the single market allows for a single set of rules, which is particularly attractive to consumers, investors and businesses alike. Furthermore, EU membership increases tourism from other member states since citizens are able to “move and reside freely” within the EU. An increase in the tourism industry will help keep the Croatian economy strong and stable, something that will hopefully resound throughout the entire EU.

After a long and arduous process, Croatia has less than a year until it will take its place as the 28th member state of the EU, flying its flag with pride alongside its 27 counterparts.

History shows that the EU builds strong, cooperative bonds between countries. Croatia will be no exception. The accession of Croatia to the EU is the story of a country that used its strength to rebuild itself after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. It is the story of yet another country that looked beyond the scope of its own borders and recognised the benefits of community cooperation.

It is also a story that reminds people of the powerful role that the EU plays in building this very community.

The author is a Nationalist MEP.

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