Accession of Croatia to the European Union
Encyclopedia
Croatia
applied for European Union
membership in 2003, and the European Commission
recommended making it an official candidate in early 2004. Candidate country status was granted to Croatia by the European Council
in mid-2004. The entry negotiations, while originally set for March 2005, began in October that year together with the screening process.
The accession process of Croatia was derailed by the insistence of Slovenia
that the two countries' border issues be dealt with prior to Croatia's accession into the EU.
Croatia finished accession negotiations on 30 June 2011. Signing of the Accession treaty and Croatian referendum are both expected to take place in the second half of 2011. The ratification process, by the Parliaments of all 27 EU member states, is expected to be concluded by the end of June 2013. Therefore, entry into force and accession of Croatia to the EU is expected to take place on 1 July 2013.
Croatian public opinion has been generally supportive of the EU accession process. Spikes in Euroscepticism have occasionally happened, for example in April 2011 due to the association of the Hague tribunal with the EU.
(ICTY), a United Nations
body, an issue that was often contentious in domestic politics.
Croatia's relations with the court had continuously been cited by the EU officials as something that required further improvement. Ratification of the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement
with Croatia had been stalled because of this.
The European Council, after its summit of 20 December 2004, set the following 17 March as the date to start entry negotiations, provided that Croatia continued to cooperate fully with the ICTY. On 16 March 2005 – the day before talks were to begin – the EU postponed the commencement of negotiations, because the ICTY prosecution assessed the Croatian efforts to capture the fugitive general Ante Gotovina
(indicted by the ICTY for war crimes and crimes against humanity, but at large since 2001) as neither timely nor sufficient.
On 7 December 2005 Spanish Police finally arrested Ante Gotovina with the help of the Spanish and Croatian government on the Spanish island of Tenerife
, located in the Canary Islands
. He was brought to The Hague
to be tried for war crimes. With the arrest of Ante Gotovina this issue seems to be now resolved, and entry negotiations have begun anew, after the certification of ICTY chief prosecutor Carla Del Ponte
that Croatia now fully cooperates with the ICTY.
In April 2011, Croatian generals Gotovina and Markač
were given extended prison sentences at the ICTY, which was widely perceived as unjust in the Croatian public. Because of a perceived association of the ICTY (a United Nations
body) with the European Union, this caused an increase in opposition to the accession.
stalled the negotiating process for 10 months. In September 2009, it was announced that Slovenia would remove restraints on Croatia's negotiations with the EU without prejudice to the international mediation on the border dispute. However, as of April 2010, Slovenia is still blocking opening of Chapter 31 (Foreign, Security & Defence Policy). As of June 2010, Slovenia has voted to accept the ruling of international arbitrators on the dispute, removing this obstacle.
Croatia has border disputes with Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro, but these countries are not European Union members and cannot directly block the accession process. In December 2008 Croatia and Montenegro agreed that the outstanding sea border issue between the two countries should be settled before an international court whose decision would be accepted in advance by the parliaments of the two countries.
. While it has strong cultural and historic ties with Italy
, the events surrounding World War II
, when Istria changed hands between the Kingdom of Italy
and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
, remain pertinent. Numerous Italian politicians expressed their discontent concerning the inability of Italians to purchase land in Croatia, considering it discriminatory treatment and stating that the issue should be resolved as soon as possible.
Croatia denied discrimination, say that Croatian legislation provided for the same treatment of all EU citizens concerning. In mid-2006, Croatia and Italy came to an agreement allowing Italian citizens to purchase land in Croatia and Croatian citizens to purchase land in Italy. Other EU members had to resolve similar issues before their accession to the EU. Examples of this include Slovenia
, Slovakia
, Poland
, and especially Malta
.
applied for EU membership in 2003, and the European Commission
recommended making it an official candidate in early 2004. Candidate country status was granted to Croatia by the European Council
(the EU's heads of state and/or government) in mid-2004 and a date for the beginning of entry negotiations, while originally set for early 2005, was postponed to October of the same year. Before starting negotiations with Croatia
, the acquis was divided into 35 chapters, 4 more than the usual 31; the new chapters, previously part of the agricultural policy, are areas expected to be troublesome, as they were with the other applicants. Following the opening of accession negotiations on 3 October 2005, the process of screening 35 acquis chapters with Croatia was completed on 18 October 2006. Negotiation had been restrained for 10 months
because of a border dispute with Slovenia, but in September 2009 it was announced that Slovenia would remove restraints on Croatia's negotiations with the EU without prejudice to the international mediation on the border dispute.
On 5 November 2008, the European Commission's annual progress report on Croatia's candidacy was published. Rehn stated that the country should complete accession negotiations by the end of 2009, with membership following by 2011 at the latest. In 2009 it was reported that Iceland
may be fast-tracked into the European Union. Rehn said that "the EU prefers two countries joining at the same time rather than individually. If Iceland applies shortly and the negotiations are rapid, Croatia and Iceland could join the EU in parallel". The last non-acquis hurdle to membership, the maritime border dispute with Slovenia, was overcome in November 2009.
Croatia finished accession negotiations on 30 June 2011. Signing of the Accession treaty and Croatian referendum are both expected to take place in the second half of 2011. The ratification process, by the parliaments of all 27 EU member states, is expected to take around a year and a half if no controversy arises. Therefore, entry into force and accession of Croatia to the EU is expected by 1 July 2013.
is divided on EU accession. The opinion polling for the EU referendum has shown the population is mostly in favour of the accession, but often with only a relative majority. Public support has wavered from a high of 80% to lows of 26-38%. Among other factors, political analyst Višeslav Raos cited economic problems within the EU
: "[Croatians] know that the European Union is not a remedy to all economic and social problems. So the EU itself is in a sort of crisis, and that reflects on Croatia's accession." The government announced an information campaign to reverse the drop in support.
An opinion poll conducted by Ipsos
Puls and published in December 2010 indicated that 76 per cent of those polled would vote in a referendum on the subject and that 64 per cent of this group would vote "yes" to membership, 29 per cent would vote "no" and seven per cent were undecided.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
applied for European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
membership in 2003, and the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
recommended making it an official candidate in early 2004. Candidate country status was granted to Croatia by the European Council
European Council
The European Council is an institution of the European Union. It comprises the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council, currently Herman Van Rompuy...
in mid-2004. The entry negotiations, while originally set for March 2005, began in October that year together with the screening process.
The accession process of Croatia was derailed by the insistence of Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
that the two countries' border issues be dealt with prior to Croatia's accession into the EU.
Croatia finished accession negotiations on 30 June 2011. Signing of the Accession treaty and Croatian referendum are both expected to take place in the second half of 2011. The ratification process, by the Parliaments of all 27 EU member states, is expected to be concluded by the end of June 2013. Therefore, entry into force and accession of Croatia to the EU is expected to take place on 1 July 2013.
Croatian public opinion has been generally supportive of the EU accession process. Spikes in Euroscepticism have occasionally happened, for example in April 2011 due to the association of the Hague tribunal with the EU.
Issues of dispute
ICTY cooperation
Croatia has had to extradite several of its citizens to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former YugoslaviaInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, more commonly referred to as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia or ICTY, is a...
(ICTY), a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
body, an issue that was often contentious in domestic politics.
Croatia's relations with the court had continuously been cited by the EU officials as something that required further improvement. Ratification of the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement
European Union Association Agreement
A European Union Association Agreement is a treaty between the European Union and a non-EU country that creates a framework for co-operation between them. Areas frequently covered by such agreements include the development of political, trade, social, cultural and security links...
with Croatia had been stalled because of this.
The European Council, after its summit of 20 December 2004, set the following 17 March as the date to start entry negotiations, provided that Croatia continued to cooperate fully with the ICTY. On 16 March 2005 – the day before talks were to begin – the EU postponed the commencement of negotiations, because the ICTY prosecution assessed the Croatian efforts to capture the fugitive general Ante Gotovina
Ante Gotovina
Ante Gotovina is a former Senior Corporal of the French Foreign Legion and former Lieutenant General of the Croatian Army who served in the Croatian War for Independence...
(indicted by the ICTY for war crimes and crimes against humanity, but at large since 2001) as neither timely nor sufficient.
On 7 December 2005 Spanish Police finally arrested Ante Gotovina with the help of the Spanish and Croatian government on the Spanish island of Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
, located in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
. He was brought to The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
to be tried for war crimes. With the arrest of Ante Gotovina this issue seems to be now resolved, and entry negotiations have begun anew, after the certification of ICTY chief prosecutor Carla Del Ponte
Carla Del Ponte
Carla Del Ponte is a former Chief Prosecutor of two United Nations international criminal law tribunals. A former Swiss attorney general, she was appointed prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in August...
that Croatia now fully cooperates with the ICTY.
In April 2011, Croatian generals Gotovina and Markač
Mladen Markac
Mladen Markač , is a former Croatian military officer. He was a Commander of Croatian Special Police during Operation Storm during the Croatian War of Independence , and afterwords held the rank of Colonel General...
were given extended prison sentences at the ICTY, which was widely perceived as unjust in the Croatian public. Because of a perceived association of the ICTY (a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
body) with the European Union, this caused an increase in opposition to the accession.
Border disagreements
Croatia must also contend with long-standing border issues with Slovenia. Good trade relations have precluded this up to December 2008 when Slovenia's blockade of Croatia's EU accessionSlovenia's blockade of Croatia's EU accession
The border disputes as well as other unresolved issues between Slovenia and Croatia have existed since the independence of the two countries , most notably the border issue around the Piran Bay....
stalled the negotiating process for 10 months. In September 2009, it was announced that Slovenia would remove restraints on Croatia's negotiations with the EU without prejudice to the international mediation on the border dispute. However, as of April 2010, Slovenia is still blocking opening of Chapter 31 (Foreign, Security & Defence Policy). As of June 2010, Slovenia has voted to accept the ruling of international arbitrators on the dispute, removing this obstacle.
Croatia has border disputes with Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro, but these countries are not European Union members and cannot directly block the accession process. In December 2008 Croatia and Montenegro agreed that the outstanding sea border issue between the two countries should be settled before an international court whose decision would be accepted in advance by the parliaments of the two countries.
Land ownership
Free acquisition of real estate by foreigners is a sensitive issue in Croatia. This matter particularly concerns Italians, especially in IstriaIstria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
. While it has strong cultural and historic ties with Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the events surrounding World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when Istria changed hands between the Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
, remain pertinent. Numerous Italian politicians expressed their discontent concerning the inability of Italians to purchase land in Croatia, considering it discriminatory treatment and stating that the issue should be resolved as soon as possible.
Croatia denied discrimination, say that Croatian legislation provided for the same treatment of all EU citizens concerning. In mid-2006, Croatia and Italy came to an agreement allowing Italian citizens to purchase land in Croatia and Croatian citizens to purchase land in Italy. Other EU members had to resolve similar issues before their accession to the EU. Examples of this include Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and especially Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
.
Negotiation progress
CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
applied for EU membership in 2003, and the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
recommended making it an official candidate in early 2004. Candidate country status was granted to Croatia by the European Council
European Council
The European Council is an institution of the European Union. It comprises the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council, currently Herman Van Rompuy...
(the EU's heads of state and/or government) in mid-2004 and a date for the beginning of entry negotiations, while originally set for early 2005, was postponed to October of the same year. Before starting negotiations with Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, the acquis was divided into 35 chapters, 4 more than the usual 31; the new chapters, previously part of the agricultural policy, are areas expected to be troublesome, as they were with the other applicants. Following the opening of accession negotiations on 3 October 2005, the process of screening 35 acquis chapters with Croatia was completed on 18 October 2006. Negotiation had been restrained for 10 months
Slovenia's blockade of Croatia's EU accession
The border disputes as well as other unresolved issues between Slovenia and Croatia have existed since the independence of the two countries , most notably the border issue around the Piran Bay....
because of a border dispute with Slovenia, but in September 2009 it was announced that Slovenia would remove restraints on Croatia's negotiations with the EU without prejudice to the international mediation on the border dispute.
| Acquis chapter | EC Assessment at Start | Current situation | Screening Started | Screening Completed | Chapter Frozen | Chapter Unfrozen | Chapter Opened | Chapter Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Free Movement of Goods | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 16.1.2006 | 24.2.2006 | ||||
| 25.7.2008 | 19.4.2010 | |||||||
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 19.7.2006 | 11.9.2006 | ||||
| 17.6.2008 | 2.10.2009 | |||||||
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 21.11.2005 | 20.12.2005 | - | - | 26.6.2007 | 21.12.2009 |
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 25.11.2005 | 22.12.2005 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 2.10.2009 | 5.11.2010 |
| 5. Public Procurement | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 7.11.2005 | 28.11.2005 | - | - | 19.12.2008 | 30.6.2010 |
| 6. Company Law | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 21.6.2006 | 20.7.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 26.6.2007 | 2.10.2009 |
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 6.2.2006 | 3.3.2006 | - | - | 29.3.2007 | 19.12.2008 |
| 8. Competition Policy | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 8.11.2005 | 2.12.2005 | ||||
| - | 30.6.2010 | 30.06.2011 | ||||||
| 9. Financial Services | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 29.3.2006 | 3.5.2006 | ||||
| 26.6.2007 | 27.11.2009 | |||||||
| 10. Information Society & Media | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 12.6.2006 | 14.7.2006 | ||||
| 26.7.2007 | 19.12.2008 | |||||||
| 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 5.12.2005 | 26.1.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 2.10.2009 | 19.4.2011 |
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 9.3.2006 | 28.4.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 2.10.2009 | 27.7.2010 |
| 13. Fisheries | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 24.2.2006 | 31.3.2006 | 12.2008 | 2.2010 | 19.2.2010 | 6.6.2011 |
| 14. Transport Policy | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 26.6.2006 | 28.9.2006 | - | - | 21.4.2008 | 5.11.2010 |
| 15. Energy | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 15.5.2006 | 16.6.2006 | - | |||
| 21.4.2008 | 27.11.2009 | |||||||
| 16. Taxation | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 6.6.2006 | 12.7.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 2.10.2009 | 30.6.2010 |
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 16.2.2006 | 23.3.2006 | ||||
| 21.12.2006 | 19.12.2008 | |||||||
| 18. Statistics | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 19.6.2006 | 18.7.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 26.6.2007 | 2.10.2009 |
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 8.2.2006 | 22.3.2006 | - | - | 17.6.2008 | 21.12.2009 |
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 27.3.2006 | 5.5.2006 | - | - | 21.12.2006 | 25.7.2008 |
| 21. Trans-European Networks | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 30.6.2006 | 29.9.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 19.12.2007 | 2.10.2009 |
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 11.9.2006 | 10.10.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 2.10.2009 | 19.4.2011 |
| 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 6.9.2006 | 13.10.2006 | - | - | 30.6.2010 | 30.06.2011 |
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | Considerable efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 23.1.2006 | 15.2.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 2.10.2009 | 22.12.2010 |
| 25. Science & Research | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 20.10.2005 | 14.11.2005 | - | - | 12.6.2006 | 12.6.2006 |
| 26. Education & Culture | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 26.10.2005 | 16.11.2005 | - | - | 11.12.2006 | 11.12.2006 |
| 27. Environment | Totally incompatible with acquis | Generally aligned with the acquis | 3.4.2006 | 2.6.2006 | 12.2008 | 2.2010 | 19.2.2010 | 22.12.2010 |
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 8.6.2006 | 11.7.2006 | - | |||
| 12.10.2007 | 27.11.2009 | |||||||
| 29. Customs Union | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 31.1.2006 | 14.3.2006 | 12.2008 | 10.2009 | 21.12.2006 | 2.10.2009 |
| 30. External Relations | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 10.7.2006 | 13.9.2006 | - | - | 12.10.2007 | 30.10.2008 |
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 14.9.2006 | 6.10.2006 | 12.2008 | 4.2010 | 30.6.2010 | 22.12.2010 |
| 32. Financial Control | Further efforts needed | Generally aligned with the acquis | 18.5.2006 | 30.6.2006 | - | - | 26.6.2007 | 27.7.2010 |
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | No major difficulties expected | Generally aligned with the acquis | 6.9.2006 | 4.10.2006 | - | - | 19.12.2007 | 30.06.2011 |
| 34. Institutions | Nothing to adopt | - | - | - | - | - | 5.11.2010 | 5.11.2010 |
| 35. Other Issues | Nothing to adopt | - | - | - | - | - | 30.06.2011 | 30.06.2011 |
| Progress | 33 out of 33 | 33 out of 33 | 13 out of 33 | 13 out of 13 | 35 out of 35 | 35 out of 35 |
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 4 March 1998 | Ministry of European Integration formed within the Croatian Government. |
| 29 October 2001 | Croatia signs the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. |
| 21 February 2003 | Formal application for membership submitted. |
| 9 October 2003 | Croatia submits answers to the Commission's Questionnaire. |
| 20 April 2004 | European Commission replies to the answers with a positive opinion (Avis). |
| 18 June 2004 | Croatia receives official candidate status. |
| 20 December 2004 | European Council sets the date for the entry negotiations to begin 17 March 2005. |
| 1 February 2005 | SAA comes into force. |
| 16 March 2005 | Negotiations postponed. |
| 3 October 2005 | The beginning of negotiations. |
| 20 October 2005 | Beginning of the screening process. |
| 12 June 2006 | 1 chapter is opened & closed: Science & Research. |
| 28 June 2006 | 2 chapters are opened: Competition Policy and Customs Union. |
| 20 July 2006 | 1 chapter is opened: Social Policy & Employment. |
| 11 December 2006 | 1 chapter is opened & closed: Education & Culture. |
| 29 March 2007 | 1 chapter is opened: Intellectual Property Law. |
| 26 June 2007 | 6 chapters are opened: Company Law, Financial Control, Financial Services, Information Society & Media, Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services, and Statistics. |
| 12 October 2007 | 2 chapters are opened: Consumer & Health Protection and External Relations. |
| 20 December 2007 | 2 chapters are opened: Trans-European Networks and Financial & Budgetary Provisions. |
| 21 April 2008 | 2 chapters are opened: Energy and Transport Policy. |
| 17 June 2008 | 2 chapters are opened: Freedom of Movement For Workers and Social Policy & Employment. |
| 25 July 2008 | 1 chapter is opened: Free Movement of Goods. 1 chapter is closed: Enterprise & Industrial Policy. |
| 30 October 2008 | 1 chapter is closed: External Relations. |
| 19 December 2008 | 1 chapter is opened: Public Procurement. 3 chapters are closed: Economic & Monetary Policy, Information Society & Media, and Intellectual Property Law. |
| 23 April 2009 | EU calls off talks with Croatia due to the latter having a border dispute with Slovenia over the Bay of Piran Gulf of Piran The Gulf of Piran or Piran Bay is located in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, and is a part of the Gulf of Trieste. It was named after the town of Piran, and its shores are shared by Croatia and Slovenia. It is delimited by a line connecting Cape Savudrija in the south to the Cape Madona ... . |
| 11 September 2009 | Slovenia agrees on an immediate ending of its blockade of Croatia's EU accession & further negotiation of the Gulf of Piran Gulf of Piran The Gulf of Piran or Piran Bay is located in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, and is a part of the Gulf of Trieste. It was named after the town of Piran, and its shores are shared by Croatia and Slovenia. It is delimited by a line connecting Cape Savudrija in the south to the Cape Madona ... border dispute between the 2 countries. |
| 2 October 2009 | Croatia closed 5 chapters & opened 6. Chapters that were closed: Company Law, Customs Union, Freedom of Movement of Workers, Statistics, and Trans-European Networks. |
| 27 November 2009 | 3 chapters are closed: Consumer & Health Protection, Energy, and Financial Services. |
| 21 December 2009 | 2 chapters are closed: Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services and Social Policy & Employment. |
| 19 February 2010 | 2 chapters are opened: Environment & Fisheries. |
| 19 April 2010 | 1 chapter is closed: Free Movement of Goods. |
| 30 June 2010 | 2 chapters are closed: Taxation and Public Procurement. 3 chapters are opened: Foreign, Security & Defence Policy, Judiciary & Fundamental Rights, and Competition Policy. |
| 27 July 2010 | 2 chapters are closed: Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy and Financial Control. |
| 5 November 2010 | 3 chapters are closed: Institutions, Transport Policy and Free Movement of Capital. |
| 22 December 2010 | 3 chapters are closed: 24. Justice, Freedom & Security, 27. Environment and 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy. |
| 19 April 2011 | 2 chapters are closed: 11. Agriculture & Rural Development, 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments |
| 6 June 2011 | 1 chapter is closed: 13. Fisheries |
| 10 June 2011 | Commission recommends closing of the negotiations and sets 1 July 2013 as target entry date |
| 24 June 2011 | European Council calls for finishing negotiations by the end of June and signing of the Treaty of Accession by the end of 2011 |
| 30 June 2011 | End of accession negotiations. Final 4 chapters are closed: 8. Competition Policy, 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights, 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions and 35. Other Issues. |
Date of accession
Originally, Croatia had been aiming for a 2007 accession date—such an accomplishment would have broken Slovakia's record of 2.5 years of negotiations to complete the process. However with the closing of negotiations on 30 June 2011, accession is expected on 1 July 2013.On 5 November 2008, the European Commission's annual progress report on Croatia's candidacy was published. Rehn stated that the country should complete accession negotiations by the end of 2009, with membership following by 2011 at the latest. In 2009 it was reported that Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
may be fast-tracked into the European Union. Rehn said that "the EU prefers two countries joining at the same time rather than individually. If Iceland applies shortly and the negotiations are rapid, Croatia and Iceland could join the EU in parallel". The last non-acquis hurdle to membership, the maritime border dispute with Slovenia, was overcome in November 2009.
Croatia finished accession negotiations on 30 June 2011. Signing of the Accession treaty and Croatian referendum are both expected to take place in the second half of 2011. The ratification process, by the parliaments of all 27 EU member states, is expected to take around a year and a half if no controversy arises. Therefore, entry into force and accession of Croatia to the EU is expected by 1 July 2013.
Public opinion
Croatian public opinionPublic opinion
Public opinion is the aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs held by the adult population. Public opinion can also be defined as the complex collection of opinions of many different people and the sum of all their views....
is divided on EU accession. The opinion polling for the EU referendum has shown the population is mostly in favour of the accession, but often with only a relative majority. Public support has wavered from a high of 80% to lows of 26-38%. Among other factors, political analyst Višeslav Raos cited economic problems within the EU
2010 European sovereign debt crisis
From late 2009, fears of a sovereign debt crisis developed among investors concerning some European states, intensifying in early 2010 and thereafter.....
: "[Croatians] know that the European Union is not a remedy to all economic and social problems. So the EU itself is in a sort of crisis, and that reflects on Croatia's accession." The government announced an information campaign to reverse the drop in support.
An opinion poll conducted by Ipsos
Ipsos
Ipsos S.A. is a global market research company headquartered in Paris, France. The Company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1 July 1999...
Puls and published in December 2010 indicated that 76 per cent of those polled would vote in a referendum on the subject and that 64 per cent of this group would vote "yes" to membership, 29 per cent would vote "no" and seven per cent were undecided.
See also
- Foreign relations of CroatiaForeign relations of CroatiaThe following page shows the foreign relations of Croatia from past history, current events, international disputes and foreign support.-History:...
- Enlargement of the European UnionEnlargement of the European UnionThe Enlargement of the European Union is the process of expanding the European Union through the accession of new member states. This process began with the Inner Six, who founded the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952...
- Next Croatian referendumNext Croatian referendumA referendum on two issues will be held in Croatia in early 2012. The date of the referendum will be decided by the signing of the Accession Treaty of Croatia to the European Union; the referendum will be held within thirty days of that date...