EU Membership Fails to Spark Enthusiasm in Croatia
June 26,2013
Croatia joins the European Union on July 1 - marking the end of its journey to accession, and a remarkable turnaround for a country that was ravaged by war during the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. But there has been a marked absence of enthusiasm for E.U. membership among much of the population.
In Brussels, the celebrations are already being set off as the Croatian flag joins 27 other member countries in the political heart of the European Union.
So how will life change for the ordinary Croatian? James Ker-Lindsay from the London School of Economics and Political Science explains.
“A lot of the day-to-day elements of life, if you like, have already probably come into force with the laws that have been changed as part of E.U. harmonization," said Ker-Lindsay. "But, of course, it is that sense of actually being there, being part of the club, having that freedom of movement across the European Union.”
Full membership means that Croatia will be able to sell its products tariff-free across the E.U. President of the Croatian Chamber Of Commerce, Nadan Vidosevic, says the country is joining the E.U. with its eyes open.
“We will jump in the cold water and start swimming, you know," said Vidosevic. "But, we decide to jump in the water, because we believe it will be at the end, something that will make pleasure to us. What is the meaning of pleasure, it is the welfare for the citizens of my country.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25