02/12/2011 14:23
Croatia to become EU member in 2013
Parliament gave its consent to Croatia’s EU membership, as required by the treaties, in a vote on Thursday. However, it called on Zagreb to address remaining challenges, especially in the field of judicial reform and the fight against corruption and organized crime. Croatia could become the EU’s 28th Member State on 1 July 2013, the European Parliament’s official site reports.
The proposal for Parliament to consent to Croatia joining the European Union, steered through the House by Hannes Swoboda (S&D, AT), was passed with 564 votes in favour, 38 against and 32 abstentions. MEPs greeted the decision with a standing ovation in the plenary chamber.
"Today is a good day for Croatia and the EU," underlined President Jerzy Buzek after the vote. He added," the European Parliament had thrown its full weight behind Croatia's EU accession.