ENLARGEMENT Croatia

Croatia moves closer to EU membership

By Toby Vogel - 18.02.2010 / 05:18 CET

Slovenia and the Netherlands drop opposition to accession talks with Balkan country.

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Croatians vote 'Yes' to EU membership

Large majority in favour of joining EU but turnout is low.

Croatians vote on joining the EU

Croatians too must vote in favour in a referendum before the country's parliament ratifies accession.

EU HOPEFUL Ivo Josipovic, Croatia's new president. REUTERS

Fact file

New President

Ivo Josipovic´ of the opposition Social Democratic Party is to be sworn in as Croatia's president later today (18 February). He takes over from Stjepan Mesic´, who has been in office since 2000. The president is largely a figurehead, as power rests with the government of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor from the centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).