Croatians went to the polls Sunday (nearby time) in a nationwide referendum on EU membership, a vote that political leaders see as key for the foreseeable future of the Balkan state 20 years right after independence. Surveys display that some sixty per cent of Croatians back entry into the European Union, paving the way for the former Yugoslav republic to formally become a member of the bloc in 2013.
Polling stations opened across the nation at 0600 GMT and will shut 12 several hours later on at 1800 GMT. The electoral commission is to launch the initial partial benefits at 1900 GMT.
Croatia's leaders say coming into the bloc has been a strategic aim given that Zagreb won its tough-fought independence following the 1991-95 war with rebel Serbs and will affirm a break from the volatile Balkans area.
The importance of EU membership
cheap Saints Jerseys is a single of the number of issues on which all major Croatian political celebrations agree.
Of the 6 former Yugoslav republics Slovenia is the only EU member, despite the fact that Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia all have aspirations.
I will vote for the EU because I think it is very good for Croatia, it provides an opportunity... for the Croatian people to demonstrate themselves, prime minister Zoran Milanovic instructed countrywide tv on the eve of the vote.
President Ivo Josipovic labelled the vote's consequence one particular of the most crucial conclusions in Croatia's heritage .
The referendum demands a basic bulk irregardless of the turnout.
In the 1990s, when other publish-communist nations around the world in central and eastern Europe were strengthening their democracies and paving their way in the direction of EU integration, Croatia's EU aspirations ended up halted by the 1991-95 war and its legacy.
It was not until finally 2000 that the election of professional-European rulers enabled Croatia's transformation into a genuine parliamentary democracy qualified for EU applicant position.
Even so extended and usually thorny accession talks that opened in 2005 dampened enthusiasm for the EU.
Many of the requirements imposed by Brussels, notably complete cooperation with the UN war crimes courtroom, have been witnessed as a type of blackmail and likely versus national interests.
'Vote yes'
In a shock transfer late on Saturday previous general Ante Gotovina, whose flight from the UN tribunal hampered Croatia's EU bid, urged citizens to solid a 'yes' vote.
Gotovina, even now witnessed as a national hero by numerous in Croatia, is held in the jail of The Hague-based mostly court that sentenced him to 24 a long time. His conviction in 2011 sparked a surge of anti-European sentiment in Croatia.
The existing economic crisis within the bloc has further eroded EU help in Croatia, so for numerous, Sunday's vote will be a pragmatic one particular.
I will vote 'yes' since it truly is the lower of two evils. I have no illusions, but we are also small to stay outdoors,
cheap nfl jerseys said Anita Markovic, a 22-yr-outdated student.
Croatia signed an EU accession treaty in December that paved the way for its entry to the bloc next 12 months.
Apart from clearing the referendum in Croatia, the treaty will also have to be ratified by all existing member states of the EU.
AFPreport=2012-01-30data
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