Croatians said 'yes' to EU accession in a referendum on Sunday, January 22. Around 66 percent were in favor of EU membership, but turnout was low – only 44 percent of those eligible to vote. In a joint statement the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy welcomed the result. They call the vote an endorsement of European integration and promise Croatians new opportunities and increased stability and prosperity. According to the statement, the way is now clear for membership on July 1, 2013, when Croatia should become the EU's 28th member.

Although all major political parties in Croatia supported the 'yes' vote, army veteran and nationalist groups organized a 'no' campaign on the familiar issues of loss of sovereignty and domination by Brussels. The no campaign is now clinging to the low turnout, calling it a sign that Croatian enthusiasm for the EU has waned. The vote, however, stands. No minimum percentage turnout was set and the vote needed only a simple majority to count. In their statement, Barroso and Van Rompuy say Croatia's accession sends the message to other countries in the region that, “through political courage and determined reforms, EU membership is within reach.”

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Europa.eu)