Croatia’s proposed entry to EU back on track for 2011

Good news for those interested in a Croatian property investment. An agreement reached today paves the way for Croatia to resume talks aimed at joining the EU by 2011. Should this come about then property prices in Croatia should receive a boost and canny investors could benefit as a result.

Following negotiations held today in Ljubljana, the Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and the Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor agreed to settle differences between the two countries which have temporarily stalled the process. Slovenia, as an existing EU member state, has thus far been blocking Croatia’s negotiations with the EU since December 2008, over a border row dating back to 1991.

“We achieved an agreement in the national interest of Croatia and Slovenia. It is our common success. There are no losers, we are all winners because we have shown that we can discuss the issues and reach a common aim” stated Kosor while thanking the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the Union for their support.

The Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said: “Croatia’s accession is in the interest not only of Croatia itself and of Slovenia, but of the neighbouring region as well as for the entire EU. I am fully convinced that Croatia will now put in even more efforts on reforms and other issues in order to meet all outstanding conditions for membership”.

If you are interested in some of the background to this dispute you can read more about it here