Italians Welcome the Opening of the Croatian Real Estate Market

The decision of the Croatian Parliament to equalize citizens and legal entities from EU countries with Croatian citizens in the purchase of real estate represents a step forward in bringing Croatia closer to EU membership, and may also resolve open questions in relations between Croatia and Italy, assesses the Trieste daily Il Piccolo on Wednesday.

Croatia’s entry into the European Union required the opening of the Croatian real estate market to EU citizens, including Italians, notes the Trieste paper in a front-page commentary, evaluating that this was “not only an economic obligation but also a political act that may finally dispel the shadows of post-war Italian-Croatian relations.” The Croatian move provides a significant opportunity for connecting the northern Adriatic region, the commentator of the Trieste paper assesses, adding that Croatia’s entry into the EU “could prove to be a much more important matter for Trieste and Italy than that solely related to real estate.”

The article on the opening of the Croatian real estate market also brings back the “issue of confiscated and nationalized property of Italian exiles in the 1940s and 1950s, which has burdened diplomatic relations for decades.” Il Piccolo also notes that the decision of the Croatian Parliament is welcomed by both the right and the left in Trieste.

“This is a positive fact that brings Croatia closer to the EU” and represents a “turning point,” assessed Roberto Menia, a representative of the National Alliance in the ruling coalition and undersecretary in Berlusconi’s government, as reported by the paper reflecting the reactions of Trieste politicians. Menia, however, notes that “another matter” is the “dispute over the property of Istrian, Rijeka, and Dalmatian exiles” and hopes for “the return of property from the Croatian side.” Stelio Spadaro, a representative of the Trieste Left Democrats, assesses the decision of the “Croatian Parliament as good news that overcomes anachronistic discrimination against citizens of the European Union.”

“I welcome every step that brings Croatia closer to Europe, in institutions, judicial relations, culture, and understanding of history,” said Spadaro, adding that he sees this as “another advancement towards the normalization of Europe.” The Trieste paper also conveys the reaction of Furio Radin, a representative of the Italian minority in the Croatian Parliament and president of the Italian Union, who expresses satisfaction with the fact that “fellow countrymen will be able to purchase real estate in Croatia under the same conditions as Croatian citizens.” Radin says he would be pleased if Italians start buying real estate in Croatia, and even more if they do so more than other EU citizens, as this would “revitalize the indigenous Italian culture.” Radin emphasizes the view that the Croatian Government and Parliament are “ready to accept European values in a short time.”

On November 27, the Croatian Government proposed amendments to the Law on Ownership and Other Real Rights to the Parliament, which was accepted by the Croatian Parliament last week, based on which, after February 1 of next year, citizens and legal entities from EU countries will be able to acquire ownership of real estate in Croatia under the same conditions as Croatian citizens, except for agricultural land and protected parts of nature.

Croatia’s obligation to make this decision on acquiring real estate arises from the Stabilization and Association Agreement, which provided a deadline of 4 years for this, expiring at the beginning of February next year. (H)