Original scientific paper

The European Union and the Republic of Croatia

Davorin Rudolf ml. ; Law Faculty, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Ivana Vrdoljak ; Law Faculty, University of Split, Split, Croatia

Abstract

The idea of united Europe started to become reality after World War II, with the establishment of the European Union for coal and steel. The initial idea was to unite French and German capacities for production of these raw materials, essential for warfare (in such manner a possible future armed confl ict between these countries is prevented). By the contract on European Union from 1992, signed in Maastricht, the name of European Union was accepted for this largely supranational international organization, and the EU Constitution, which still have not become effective, reforms the Europe of countries into the Country of Europe. The authors provide in this article a short outline of the EU institutions and the activities of the European Union. Concerning the process of accession of Croatia to the European Union, there have been displayed Copenhagen criteria and the chronology of the relationships between Croatia and the European Union. Delaying the start of negotiations on full membership (by the decisions made in the EU institutions) caused criticisms in Croatia, because the extradition of any accused person to the Hague tribunal for punishing crimes committed in former Yugoslavia cannot be made equal to the historical step of a country – accession to the European Union. The authors conclude that the imminent accession of Croatia to the EU would be useful both for Croatia and the EU.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

35643

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/35643

Publication date:

12.4.2005.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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