• SHQIPËRI
  • KOSOVË
  • MAQEDONIA E VERIUT
  • MALI I ZI
  • Revista në PDF
9 September, 2025
Edicion Special
  • Home
  • OP/ED

    The world goes on as usual – unpredictably

    Palestine is decisive for peace in Middle East!

    Azerbaijan dismisses claims of involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

    Elite Purges: Internal Conflict or External Design?

    Trump’s Threat of U.S. Intervention in Iran Exposes Roots of Critics’ Fears

    Crisis-Born, Purpose-Seeking: Can the EPC Define Europe’s Strategic Future?

    Serbia’s Request to the ICJ Turned Resolution 1244 into a Closed Chapter and Kosovo’s Independence into an Internationally Recognized Reality

    Unpredictable world

    Promoting Arab Culture and Language in the Framework of Cultural Diversity and Dialogue.

  • Interview

    “Diplomacy, Not War”: Palestinian Ambassador to Albania Calls for Justice, Peace, and Global Action for Gaza

    Exclusive: “Even After Tito – Tito”/ Ambassador Zlatko Kramarić on Authoritarian Legacies and Democracy’s Future in the Balkans

    The Conclusion of the Diplomatic Mission / Ambassador Dancho Markovski: Strengthening Albania-North Macedonia Relations for a Shared European Future

    A Century of Diplomatic Relations Between Albania and Russia: Exclusive Interview with the Russian Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Alexey Zaytsev

    Exclusive/ The chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta: “The will of the citizens will triumph in Albania, as it did in North Macedonia”

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

  • Realpolitik

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    Geopolitical equation with several unknowns!

    Summit G 6+1! The historic Summit and Trump show! Zelensky loses 0:2! Winners and losers of the 12 day war!

    Chancellor Merz passed “the exam”! Political stupidity! 5 per cent or study Russian! The Firing East!      

    A top phone call as disappointment! Exit from Brexit! Germany at the helm! End this political shame up!

    That’s it! The quartet of hope! Shame on Kosovo! The Summit of a Community without Identity!

    Only praises and prolises for Meloni! Facts versus untruths! Immediate ceasefire and genuine peace, no deal for new occupation! Back after 60 years !

    US nuclear tariff bomb!! Europa fires back! NATO ok, but with or without Article 5? Kallas urges reforms!

    Europe riarmed! Germany’s epochal shift! Spoiled soup! EU Commissioner Kos demands reforms!

  • Current Events

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    The Americans In, the Russians Down, and the Iranians Out: The Regional Impact of the Armenia- Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

    How Belgrade Keeps the Serb Community in Kosovo Under Political Control

    President Aliyev gives an interview to Azerbaijani media: US-Azerbaijan open new chapter of strategic partnership 

    International recognition of Palestine: Political marketing or genuine change?

    Visit to the Council of American Ambassadors Headquarters.

    “This Is Genocide”: Albanian Journalists Call for Urgent Government Action for Gaza

  • Top News

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Zelensky in Brussels: A ceasefire and clear security guarantees are needed for Ukraine

    Visit to the Council of American Ambassadors Headquarters.

    China looks forward to Europe viewing bilateral ties in a comprehensive, dialectical, and developing manner: Chinese FM spokesperson

    The NATO Summit in 2027 will be held in Tirana.

    NATO allies agree to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035

    Reza Pahlavi: “This Is Our Berlin Wall Moment” — Exiled Prince Calls for Global Support as Iran Nears Regime Collapse

    Where does Donald Trump stand on the Israel-Iran conflict?

  • YOUR VOICE
  • Shqip
No Result
View All Result
Argumentum
  • Home
  • OP/ED

    The world goes on as usual – unpredictably

    Palestine is decisive for peace in Middle East!

    Azerbaijan dismisses claims of involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

    Elite Purges: Internal Conflict or External Design?

    Trump’s Threat of U.S. Intervention in Iran Exposes Roots of Critics’ Fears

    Crisis-Born, Purpose-Seeking: Can the EPC Define Europe’s Strategic Future?

    Serbia’s Request to the ICJ Turned Resolution 1244 into a Closed Chapter and Kosovo’s Independence into an Internationally Recognized Reality

    Unpredictable world

    Promoting Arab Culture and Language in the Framework of Cultural Diversity and Dialogue.

  • Interview

    “Diplomacy, Not War”: Palestinian Ambassador to Albania Calls for Justice, Peace, and Global Action for Gaza

    Exclusive: “Even After Tito – Tito”/ Ambassador Zlatko Kramarić on Authoritarian Legacies and Democracy’s Future in the Balkans

    The Conclusion of the Diplomatic Mission / Ambassador Dancho Markovski: Strengthening Albania-North Macedonia Relations for a Shared European Future

    A Century of Diplomatic Relations Between Albania and Russia: Exclusive Interview with the Russian Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Alexey Zaytsev

    Exclusive/ The chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta: “The will of the citizens will triumph in Albania, as it did in North Macedonia”

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

  • Realpolitik

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    Geopolitical equation with several unknowns!

    Summit G 6+1! The historic Summit and Trump show! Zelensky loses 0:2! Winners and losers of the 12 day war!

    Chancellor Merz passed “the exam”! Political stupidity! 5 per cent or study Russian! The Firing East!      

    A top phone call as disappointment! Exit from Brexit! Germany at the helm! End this political shame up!

    That’s it! The quartet of hope! Shame on Kosovo! The Summit of a Community without Identity!

    Only praises and prolises for Meloni! Facts versus untruths! Immediate ceasefire and genuine peace, no deal for new occupation! Back after 60 years !

    US nuclear tariff bomb!! Europa fires back! NATO ok, but with or without Article 5? Kallas urges reforms!

    Europe riarmed! Germany’s epochal shift! Spoiled soup! EU Commissioner Kos demands reforms!

  • Current Events

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    The Americans In, the Russians Down, and the Iranians Out: The Regional Impact of the Armenia- Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

    How Belgrade Keeps the Serb Community in Kosovo Under Political Control

    President Aliyev gives an interview to Azerbaijani media: US-Azerbaijan open new chapter of strategic partnership 

    International recognition of Palestine: Political marketing or genuine change?

    Visit to the Council of American Ambassadors Headquarters.

    “This Is Genocide”: Albanian Journalists Call for Urgent Government Action for Gaza

  • Top News

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Zelensky in Brussels: A ceasefire and clear security guarantees are needed for Ukraine

    Visit to the Council of American Ambassadors Headquarters.

    China looks forward to Europe viewing bilateral ties in a comprehensive, dialectical, and developing manner: Chinese FM spokesperson

    The NATO Summit in 2027 will be held in Tirana.

    NATO allies agree to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035

    Reza Pahlavi: “This Is Our Berlin Wall Moment” — Exiled Prince Calls for Global Support as Iran Nears Regime Collapse

    Where does Donald Trump stand on the Israel-Iran conflict?

  • YOUR VOICE
  • Shqip
No Result
View All Result
Argumentum
No Result
View All Result
Home ENGLISH

A decade of Croatian EU membership: Success story of enlargement in the Western Balkans

8 July, 2023
in ENGLISH, English OP/ED
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In April 2011, the then President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, visited Zagreb and delivered a message that the criteria had not been met and that Croatia would not join the EU, but would spend some more time in the waiting room alongside Serbia.

The Croatian government, led by Jadranka Kosor, took this message seriously, and reforms were accelerated. On July 1, 2013, Croatia became the 28th member state of the European Union. After ten years, Serbia and other Western Balkan countries seem farther from that path than ever before.

Croatia’s negotiations were neither fast nor easy. Like the rest of the former Yugoslav countries, obstacles for official Zagreb included cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in Hague, bilateral issues with neighbors, as well as the rule of law.

Additionally, similar to today, member states skeptical of enlargements, such as the Netherlands and France, posed challenges. However, the willingness of EU member states for enlargement was somewhat greater than it is today, so it is not wrong to conclude that Croatia caught the last train to join the European Union.

Unlike the other Western Balkan countries, EU membership truly was the main foreign policy goal for all Croatian authorities since gaining independence. The country started negotiations in 2005, and the final chapters were closed on 30 June 2011.

In the decade of membership, Croatia achieved all of its European integration goals, and as of 1 January 2023, it became a member of both the Schengen Area and the Eurozone. In the first half of 2020, Croatia also held the Presidency of the European Union during the challenging crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former European Parliament Rapporteur for Croatia, Hannes Swoboda, told European Western Balkans that Croatia’s overall accession to the EU was successful.

“At the time of its accession, there was still some readiness for enlargement, and especially Germany made it clear to the Netherlands and France that the EU must take at least one more country into the EU – primarily also for the sake of stability in the South East of Europe”, Swoboda recalls.

Economy – the greatest benefit of EU membership

Before joining the EU, Croatia experienced a recession that lasted over six years. The decline in real GDP from 2009 to 2014 amounted to 12.6 percent.

Just two years after joining the Union, GDP began to grow until 2020 when it dropped 8.6 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, being a member of the European Union, assistance from Brussels contributed to a rapid recovery, with growth reaching as high as 13.1 percent in 2021.

For example, in 2013, Croatia had a GDP per capita of 61% of the European average, while last year it reached 73% of the European average. In the year of EU accession, Croatians had a GDP per capita slightly above ten thousand euros, whereas, in 2022, it exceeded seventeen thousand euros. Thus, in terms of GDP per capita, Croatia surpasses Slovakia or Greece.

Croatians are also faring well in terms of the unemployment rate. In May of this year, it was below 5.6 percent. In practical terms, this means that Croatia has never had more employed people.

Further enlargement still so far

Many believe that Russian aggression on Ukraine has achieved what seemed impossible – putting enlargement policy high on the European agenda. However, further enlargement still appears distant. Montenegro has the highest prospects of becoming the next member state of the European Union, as it has opened all negotiating chapters and has progressed the furthest in the negotiations.

Former Member of the European Parliament, Swoboda, states that the methods of enlargement and strategies have changed significantly compared to that time, particularly with Ukraine and Moldova knocking on the European door.

In an opinion published on the website of the International Institute for Peace, Swoboda notes that all candidate countries aspiring to become part of the European family must be willing to implement necessary reforms and resolve domestic and regional disputes.

Reflecting on the idea of phased accession, Swoboda writes that it could offer clear support to all forces in the Western Balkan states that are striving for the implementation of principles and values./EWB

Related Posts

Current Events

Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

8 September, 2025
ENGLISH

Humanism in today’s society a challenge for humanity!

2 September, 2025
Balkan Overview

We have work to do — Serbia’s future is with the EU, President Vučić tells Euronews

25 August, 2025

Follow US

Subscribe

Receive Argumentum Magazine by Email

Last Posts

Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

8 September, 2025

Humanism in today’s society a challenge for humanity!

2 September, 2025

We have work to do — Serbia’s future is with the EU, President Vučić tells Euronews

25 August, 2025

“Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

25 August, 2025

Serbia as a Hub for Russian Hybrid Operations in Europe: Five Documented Cases

22 August, 2025
Argumentum

“Argumentum”, një proces intelektual …

Contact Us

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Follow Us

Media Partner

Register

Receive Argumentum Magazine by Email
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact

© 2022 Argumentum. All Rights Reserved. | NUIS: L91415033Q

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • OP/ED
  • Interview
  • Realpolitik
  • Current Events
  • Top News
  • YOUR VOICE
  • Shqip

© 2022 Argumentum. All Rights Reserved. | NUIS: L91415033Q

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.