On December 9, Croatia will sign the EU accession treaty

Croatia will sign its accession treaty to the European Union on December 9 in Brussels, the Balkan country’s PM Jadranka Kosor has announced.

The Prime Minsiter pointed out that it was during her term that Croatia took the crucial steps needed to unblock its EU membership bid. The resolution of a paralyzing border dispute with EU-member Slovenia and a crackdown on organized crime and corruption were among the achievments Kosor took credit for.

Once signed, the treaty will have to be approved by referendum in Croatia and ratified by the parliaments of the EU’s existing 27 members. The procedure should be completed in time for the Balkan country to become the bloc’s 28 member on July 1, 2013.