Revelry and Celebration as Croatia Becomes the 28th Member of the European Union

“As midnight struck, your country crossed an important threshold.” This is the statement expressed by Van Rompuy, European Council President Herman, addressing the crowds gathered at Ban Jelacic Square in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, as the European Union welcomed its 28th member on Monday. “It will change the life of this nation for good,” he added.

Crowds celebrated on the streets to mark this major milestone just two decades after Croatia won its independence from Yugoslavia 22 years ago. The streets were adorned by Croatian and EU flags. Thousands joined in dances and street parties as fireworks lit up the night sky when Croatia’s membership in the trading bloc became official at midnight on July 1. Foreign dignitaries and locals were entertained by artists after the Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and the country’s national anthem ushered in the revelry.

Historic event

President Ivo Josipovic referred to Croatia’s EU membership as historic and said that in the history of any nation, there are not many events such as the cause of their celebration. The revelers were joined in by Jose Barroso, President of the European Union accompanied by EU officials. Before Croatia, the last additions to the bloc in 2007 were Romania and Bulgaria.

Croatia is a small Balkan nation that is predominantly Roman Catholic with a population of 4.2 million people. The country has struggled and eventually triumphed with its efforts at shedding the remnants of war and its former communist ideals when it was a Yugoslav republic. Croatia started negotiating membership into the EU a decade ago. To mark its acceptance into the Union, customs posts at the Slovenian and Hungarian borders were removed. EU signs and flags were also placed along Croatia’s borders with Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro, countries that are not EU members.

Amidst a background of economic crisis

Nevertheless, emotions are mixed even as celebrations are held to commemorate this landmark event. Croatia’s most recent achievement comes at a time when Europe is at the midst of a crisis and the country itself is struggling through economic issues. President Martin Schulz of the European Parliament welcomed the newest member into the fold with a word of caution. He said that becoming an EU member is not the “magic solution” to the financial crisis and recession that the country has been experiencing for the past five years. Croatia is currently the third poorest member of the EU.

But the EU will definitely extend help to Croatia in elevating the country out of poverty, modernizing the economy, providing funding for infrastructure, promoting environmental clean-up programs, and promoting research and development.

Pushing for change

Croatia’s great desire to join the European Union drove it to pass more than 350 laws, implement difficult political reforms, and put to justice war criminals from its war-torn past. As a reward for the successful reforms, Croatia will benefit economically and socio-politically from gaining access to a-500 million strong pool of potential consumers. The country is also earmarked for financial assistance amounting to $18 billion within the period of 2014-2020.

Photo Credit: Famous landmarks in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia.