Introduction

Which countries have been accepted into the European Union, and why might Croatia, for instance, not have been among them? Historical context, political instability, and economic challenges have shaped Croatia's journey towards EU membership. This article explores the reasons why Croatia, despite its successful negotiations, was not accepted into the EU earlier.

Requirements for EU Membership

Before a country can join the European Union, it must meet certain criteria in various sectors such as public debt, economic stability, justice, civil liberties, and others. Completing these requirements can be a lengthy and rigorous process. In the case of Croatia, it took significant steps but still faced challenges that delayed its full membership.

Transition from Yugoslavia to Independence

Croatia emerged from the former Yugoslavia, a soft communist country. Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia, a civil war erupted against Serbia. This conflict lasted for ten years and resulted in approximately 200,000 casualties, with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo also affected. The civil war created a complex situation for Croatia, which had to focus on rebuilding and improving its conditions before considering EU membership.

The EU Accession Process

Croatia began its EU accession negotiations on June 30, 2011, and the date of entry was scheduled for July 1, 2013. Despite these developments, full membership was not immediately granted. The reasons for this delayed acceptance are multi-faceted.

Main Reasons for Delayed Acceptance

The primary challenge Croatia faced was the conflict with Serbia, particularly the Serbia-initiated armed conflict over territorial issues. The conflict aimed to retain as much territory from the former federal state as possible by redrawing internal borders and creating a Great Serbia through destruction, terror, and ethnic cleansing. As a result, Croatia lost 30% of its territory, with the Serbs forming only about half of the population in the lost regions. The remaining population, mainly Croatians, was expelled.

Croatia's situation was exacerbated by its shape. With a complex geography, Croatia was in a worse position than Ukraine is today. Due to an arms embargo, Croatia had to buy weapons illegally from the black market to defend itself. This situation created a significant security challenge. Western support was also limited and delayed, leading to considerable destruction and loss, with an estimated $US30 billion in direct war damage.

The war left a profound mark on Croatia, including large numbers of displaced persons and refugees from Bosnia, landmine-contaminated land, a lack of investments, and isolation. Croatia had to grapple with an authoritarian rule and an extremely corrupt establishment, which are highly incompatible with EU standards.

Lessons and Successes

Despite these challenges, Croatia achieved significant progress. The country finally secured its independence and established a democratic framework. In recognition of this progress, Croatia is now a member of NATO, the EU, the eurozone, and the Schengen Area. Over the past three decades, these countries have made notable advancements and have become successful members of the European community.

In conclusion, while Croatia faced significant hurdles on its path to EU membership, including the legacy of the civil war with Serbia, it accomplished a remarkable feat of integrating into European structures. Croatia’s journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people and leadership.