Euro-skepticism on rise in Croatia

According to a recent opinion poll, Euro-skepticism is burgeoning in Croatia. A recent Gallup poll indicates that 29 percent of Croatian citizens think EU membership is a good idea, while 26 percent think otherwise, while 38 percent think that EU membership is “neither good nor bad.” Euro-skepticism on rise in Croatia These findings were presented at a Round Table discussion entitled “Croatia: Tired of EU Reforms?” The polls shows that 39 percent of respondents believe public support will exist for EU entry, while 45 percent disagree. President of the Croatian Helsinki Committee Zarko Puhovski attended the Round Table. He stood on the side of those who opposed EU integration reacted, and was stinging in his criticism for Brussels’ policy towards Zagreb. “For years we disgraced ourselves before the EU with incomplete reforms and the unacceptable political situation during the 1990s. Now it is time for the EU to hold its head in shame towards Croatia, because it accepted Bulgaria and Romania before us, and has allowed Slovenia to run amok,” Puhovski said. He was alluding to the current Slovenian blockade on the continuation of integration talks between Croatia and the EU over the border dispute between Ljubljana and Zagreb. Puhovski said that the situation in certain member-states only went to confirm that the implementation of reforms and harmonization of the legal system with EU standards were not the real conditions for entering the EU. “The fact Greece exists in the EU means that we do not have to do anything else in terms of judicial reform, and the fact that certain Baltic states are members means that we have nothing to do in the realm of minority policies,” he said.

Euro-skepticism on rise in Croatia

These findings were presented at a Round Table discussion entitled “Croatia: Tired of EU Reforms?”

The polls shows that 39 percent of respondents believe public support will exist for EU entry, while 45 percent disagree.

President of the Croatian Helsinki Committee Žarko Puhovski attended the Round Table.

He stood on the side of those who opposed EU integration reacted, and was stinging in his criticism for Brussels’ policy towards Zagreb.

“For years we disgraced ourselves before the EU with incomplete reforms and the unacceptable political situation during the 1990s. Now it is time for the EU to hold its head in shame towards Croatia, because it accepted Bulgaria and Romania before us, and has allowed Slovenia to run amok,” Puhovski said.

He was alluding to the current Slovenian blockade on the continuation of integration talks between Croatia and the EU over the border dispute between Ljubljana and Zagreb.

Puhovski said that the situation in certain member-states only went to confirm that the implementation of reforms and harmonization of the legal system with EU standards were not the real conditions for entering the EU.

“The fact Greece exists in the EU means that we do not have to do anything else in terms of judicial reform, and the fact that certain Baltic states are members means that we have nothing to do in the realm of minority policies,” he said.