Croatia closer to EU membership

Croatia moved one step closer to European Union membership in the last week of June with negotiations starting in six more EU policy areas. This is good news for investors looking to get a foothold in the ex-Yugoslav republic. Croatia may be able to join the EU by 2010 despite the EU's current slowdown on expansion after the introduction of 10 new member countries in 2004 (including neighboring Slovenia).

To join the EU, potential member-states must go through the long process of meeting EU standards in more than 30 different fields followed by ratification of the entry agreement-so far talks on only two fields (on education and culture, and research and science) have been completed. Croatia is still tackling the issues of uncompetitive industries and corruption, but has already opened talks on intellectual property, and economic and monetary affairs. Negotiations have been launched on six other areas, including company law, financial controls, financial services, and media.

Lief Simon, International Living's resident real estate investing guru, points out that by investing before the infrastructure improvements and expansions are in place you can watch your investment appreciate as the tourist and business volumes increase.

Best regards,

Maria Savage
International Living's European Consultant

P.S. Lief Simon will be speaking at our upcoming Live and Prosper in Europe Seminar, September 2-4 in Barcelona. Read more here.