Croatia 28th EU Member State
The European Parliament gave on 1 December its consent for Croatia’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union at its plenary session in Brussels.
The Treaty of Accession of Croatia to the European Union was signed on 9 December at the European Council in Brussels. The signature marks the successful end to six-years of negotiations and represents one of the final milestones in the country’s road to EU Membership. President Jose Manuel Barroso noted at this historic occasion: “Today’s signature of the Accession Treaty is an outstanding moment for the European Union and for Croatia” and added that “Croatia is the best proof of how strong and successful the transformative power of the enlargement policy can be”. Croatia applied for EU membership in 2003, became a candidate country in 2004, and started accession negotiations in October 2005. The negotiations were successfully 30 June this year. Croatia is foreseen to hold a referendum in early 2012, subject to the ratification, of the Accession Treaty by all 27 Member States. Croatia will join the European Union on the 1 July 2013 as the 28th Member State and will until then participate in the European Council as an active observer.
Tags: Accession Treaty, Croatia, EU countries, EU Membership