Quote:
Originally Posted by Swede
When it comes to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland it realy is just up to if the people want to join or not. Their economies and laws are already mostly up to EU standards. Croatia isn't quite there yet, but clearly on its way to such a point. As i understand it the main reason Croatians have been somewhat anti-EU (at least in the past) is that the EU demanded all war crimes suspects be handed over for prosecution unless membership negotiations were to be halted.
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to some degree this was the case, but with the arrest of Ante Gotiovina *(war criminal wanted by Hague) in late 2005 all doors for Croatia's EU entry opend.
But dissolution in some Central European countries (Poland, Czech R) created a discord at home.
Unemployment in Poland remained the same despite ever increasing investment in the country.
Croatia is going through high economic growth rates and fear is that EU bureaucracy could stifled growth, Croats want benefit of trade but the ever increasing legislative pressure EU imposes on member states.
There is a issue of fishing rights in Adriatic, Which Croatia wants to protect, issue of foreigners buying out Croatia. Croatia being highly desired tourist destination many in Croatia fear that Germans, Italians and others will simply buy out land, keeping prices high and out of reach of many Croats.
But I think closer Croatia approches its EU membership date % of population supporting EU membership will undoubtedly increase.
Croatia is joining NATO next year and support for this is eve lower, around 34%, many see NATO as Americanization of Europe and tool to influence and blackmail European members.
EU will be of much greater importance for Croatia and I do hope support for EU increases once they see opportunities EU can offer.
Iceland in the other hand same as Norway has no practical obstacles in joining EU, apart of majority NO vote at the referendum for a EU membership.
I can see the reasons for Norway saying no, after all Norway might loose a lot with the membership, such as control of North Sea Oil, fishing rights and considering Norway is a whaling nation...
Iceland in the other hand has large fishing industry up on which is very dependant but I think Iceland also needs to diversify and EU might be just what Iceland needs.