Croatia has come a long way in its foreign policy development and is currently the most dynamic actor in the Balkan region. The new country’s attempt to engage with both its former compatriots and enemies was by all means a great endeavor. Croatia’s initial motivation to repair regional relations was most likely in response to international pressure, proven by such actions as its surrender to Slovenia over long-running disputes in order to remove the final obstacles to NATO and EU integration; however, Croatia seems to have a genuine interest in helping neighbors such as Kosovo based on values, supporting its integrity despite the consequences, or Montenegro as it helps its ally secure a future in Europe in hopes of another stable partner in the region. Croatia’s interest in the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is less simple, as it is
concerned with this victim of Croatian aggression and also their largest common border. Even in the case of Serbia, Croatia has attempted to work on legacy issues that hit close to home, even when this upsets the Croatian public. The problem with the Croatian-Serbian relationship today is that whenever Croatia has put forth the effort to work on concrete political objectives with Serbia, progress has been interrupted by recurring reminders of their past. The challenges in this relationship, related to the nations’ different experiences through numerous wars and fundamental differences of identity, are too great to be dealt with in a matter twenty years. If Serbia becomes more serious about pursuing EU membership, the two might be able to work out lasting differences; however, this would be a discussion between a member and a
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nonmember, and there is no guarantee Croatia will not use its veto power regarding enlargement to force serious action from Serbia.
The EU goal was clearly to socialize Croatia into a regional leader with a positive influence on countries with which it shares a tremendous amount of history. Croatia dived into foreign policy as a newly independent state, and its initial priorities focused on issues the government knew would reap the most benefits and advance its country’s NATO and EU accession processes. External pressure and material incentives were real motivators at a point in time, but Croatian elites seemed most determined when their country’s economic prospects were bleak. In contrast to liberal intergovernmentalist thinking, they made difficult choices that were at odds with public opinion. As the socialization emphasis of constructivist theory would have suggested, the Croatian government has embraced the role of regional leader and is sharing its new expertise with neighbors and continues to assure them of the EU process.
Though the government is on its way towards peaceful relations with its former enemies, the possibility of future disputes between Croatia and its Balkan neighbors, particularly Serbia, cannot be ruled out; however, the country’s EU accession process has proved that leadership is the key ingredient for access. The willingness of Croatian politicians to swallow their pride, fight nationalist sentiments, and reach agreements with these powers proves that EU membership is indeed a powerful force guiding democratization in the Balkans.
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APENDIX 1: CROATIA EU TIMELINE
Date Status
01-06-2000 Feira European Council states all SAP countries are "potential candidates" for EU membership
29-10-2001 Stabilization and Association Agreement signed 21-02-2003 Croatia applies for EU membership
01-04-2004 Commission approves Croatia's application for EU membership 01-06-2004 Council confirms Croatia as candidate country
01-12-2004 Council sets 17 March 2005 as start date for negotiations conditional upon full cooperation with the ICTY
01-02-2005 Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) enters into force 16-03-2005 EU postpones start of accession negotiations due to failure to cooperate
with ICTY but adopts negotiation framework 20-10-2005 'Screening' stage of accession negotiations begins
12-06-2006 1st chapter of accession negotiations formally opened and provisionally closed at ministerial-level conference
30-06-2011 Last of the 35 negotiating chapters is closed
12-10-2011 Commission issues favorable opinion on Croatia's accession to EU and adopts last progress report
06-12-2011 Council adopts decision on admission of Croatia 09-12-2011 EU and Croatia sign accession treaty
22-01-2012 66% of voters approve of EU membership in referendum 01-07-2013 Croatia joins the EU
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