ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

EU member states have closed accession negotiations with Croatia, which should allow the country to join the EU on July 1 2013. This ends six years of talks during which Croatia has been asked not only to adopt new laws and regulations to comply with EU standards, but also implement them.

"We are celebrating this historic event with our Croatian friends: within 20 years as an independent republic, Croatia has changed tremendously. It has made impressive progress towards meeting the EU membership criteria. This is being rewarded today," said Stefan Füle, EU commissioner for enlargement and European neighbourhood policy.

"The European Commission has consistently supported Croatia on this reform path. We have been fair but strict: we will continue this strict, transparent approach to monitor how Croatia delivers on the commitments so that it will be able to fully assume the responsibilities of membership from the first day of accession."

The signature of the accession treaty is expected to take place by the end of the year.