The European Union represents a challenge for us, and by joining the EU, the Croatian economy will receive the necessary impulse and restore investor confidence, emphasized Neven Mimica, the first Croatian Commissioner in the European Commission, responsible for consumer protection, in an interview with Il Sole 24 Ore.
On the occasion of Croatia’s accession to the EU, this Italian business newspaper published an article about the Croatian economy titled ‘Croatia Joins the EU Without Enthusiasm’, speaking with several Croatian officials and experts.
– The European Union represents a challenge for us. The process of aligning with EU standards has already had positive effects, for example, on the judiciary and public administration. I am convinced that the ability to move, travel, and work under the same rules enjoyed by Italians or Germans, access to a market of 500 million consumers, and the opportunity to utilize structural funds and the cohesion fund will greatly stimulate the economy. Membership in the Union is, in any case, a guarantee for investors – said Mimica.
As the newspaper states, the government and people on the crowded streets of Zagreb agree on several facts – regarding the national economy and family welfare, the status of the 28th member state will bring few advantages in the short term, and perhaps even a few more problems, while hope lies in the positive effects in the medium and long term.
– Our economy has long been tied to Western Europe. Moreover, it depends on large neighboring countries such as Italy and Germany. But we are officially entering the Union with a non-competitive economy. It is our obligation to direct all efforts towards exports, but few of our production structures are adapted to international markets – said Boris Cota, special advisor to the President of Croatia for the economy, from his office at the University of Zagreb.
In addition to presenting the state of the Croatian economy, Il Sole 24 Ore also explored what advantages joining the EU brings to Croatia. The director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) office in Zagreb, Vedrana Jelušić, highlighted for the newspaper that we are entering the Union well-prepared after a rigorous process.
– This is already an excellent foundation for long-term growth. We will be able to utilize 13.7 billion from European funds. This is an opportunity for a new beginning – said Jelušić for the newspaper. However, she added that Croatia must improve competitiveness, infrastructure, and provide better support to companies, and much still needs to be done in the legislative system, judiciary, and public administration, as well as expand investments and the market to achieve growth. Gianni Franco Papa, head of UniCredit’s department for Central and Eastern Europe, assesses that Croatia is a serious and disciplined country, similar to some Northern European countries.
