Croatia on course to join European Union

Brussels is recommending existing EU leaders to sign off on the last details of lengthy membership talks and usher the country into the club in two years.

“Today is a historic day for Croatia and for the European Union” said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

“At this significant moment, I would like to applaud the Croatian authorities, in particular the current government, for their hard work over the last years.

“Even more importantly, I would like to congratulate the people of Croatia: joining the EU family of nations is first and foremost your success.”

Croatia applied for EU membership in 2003, and formal negotiations began in late 2005.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Clearly, today is a historic day for Croatia and Croatia, in my view, belongs in the European Union.

“I think it is very exciting for Croatia and for Europe that this day is getting ever closer.

“We have watched with admiration the economic political and social growth of Croatia over the last decade and look forward to warmly welcoming you as a member of the European Union, where we will have many challenges to share.”