As is customary when the EU is expanding, the European Parliament is about to welcome 12 new observer MEPs from Croatia.

Croatia, with a territory 180 times the size of Malta and a population of 4.3 million, will be officially joining the EU on July 1, 2013 and the 12 observer MEPs will become fully fledged members of the Chamber once all the 27 member states ratify the country’s accession treaty.

The Croatian observers will have the right to take part in committee and plenary meetings but will not be able to vote.

Five of the new observer MEPs will join the Socialist group, three the EPP group and one the Liberals. The other MEPs will be non-attached members.

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