Welcome to Croatia

With the signature of the Accession Treaty on 9 December, the Heads of State and Government of the EU and Croatia launched the procedure for this country of the Western Balkans to become the 28th member of the European Union. The ceremony took place in the margins of the European Council meeting.

Signature of the Accession Treaty of Croatia by Mr Ivo
Josipović, President of Croatia and Ms Jadranka Kosor,
Prime Minister of Croatia in Brussels
© European Union 2011

"It is a day of joy for Croatia, and for the EU as a whole", said the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, at the signing ceremony. "Whenever a new member is to join our Union, we thereby reconfirm our founding values and our desire to continue our journey together. At times of crisis, such as the present, it is good to remember what we have achieved together. For the more than 500 million EU citizens, Europe is now the most prosperous, socially-minded, secure and free continent on earth. We have acted as a powerful magnet for peaceful change and modernisation in our neighbourhood. The example of the Western Balkans shows how the European perspective has provided more stability, security and prosperity in a region that was torn by war less than 15 years ago".

President Van Rompuy thanked the Polish Presidency of the Council, the previous Presidencies, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council Secretariat for their pivotal role in making the signature possible.

Ivo Josipović, the President of Croatia, declared: "In this festive moment, I'm aware that the challenges facing all of us in Europe and Croatia today are formidable. Croatia takes pride in being able to contribute in finding responses with its own strength. However, I am certain of one thing. the response to these challenges is more unity and more Europe, not less. This holds true for the European Union, just as it does for Croatia. Croatia, too, needs more Europe, not less. Today is the day, when the process of mutual enrichment begins."

"The European Union is a complete economic and political entity in today's globalised society. As such, in remains the only guarantee of security and prosperity throughout Europe", said Jadranka Kosor, Croatia's Prime Minister. "We are, of course, aware of the EU's current problems. Nevertheless, we remain convince that these can only be overcome through joint effort and in a spirit of solidarity."

Croatia will become a fully fledged member on 1 July 2013, when all 27 current EU countries and Croatia have ratified the Accession Treaty. The country will hold a referendum on its accession in early 2012. During the ratification period, Croatia's progress in implementing the treaty will continue, and the Commission will monitor progress achieved.

Until its accession, Croatia will be an observer, without speaking rights, in most of the Council working parties and meetings of the Council and the European Council as well as in Commission committees. This will enable Croatian representatives to become familiar with the working methods of the EU institutions and to become involved in the decision-making process.

After joining the European Union, Croatia will have 7 votes in the Council, out of a total of 352. At least 260 votes will be required for legislation to be adopted by qualified majority. Croatian will be recognised as an official EU language, and all EU acts will also be drawn up in Croatian.

More information:
Speech by Herman Van Rompuy at the signing ceremony (pdf)
Press release (pdf)
Webcast of the signing ceremony
Accession Treaty (pdf)