‘We are now one step closer to the European Union, to being a member in it,’ stated Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor. ‘We still have a few things to do before we sign the treaty, but the most important issues have already been done. This international agreement is 300 pages and is certainly one of the most important treaties and documents that Croatia has ever signed,’ stressed the head of the Croatian government.
 
‘These are signs of hope for the whole of Europe. Today, when so many politicians are doubting the future of Europe, your effort, your courage, the fact that you are becoming full participants in Europe, is also a great injection of optimism, energy and strength to those who believe in the meaning of Europe. Croatia and its prime minister are showing that Europe makes sense for the people, for nations and for the great historical, cultural and civilisational community to which we all belong and to which we are returning after years of absence,’ said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
 
The document, handed over on Saturday in Zagreb in English, was accepted by EU countries at Wednesday’s COREPER II meeting. Thus ended nearly two years of work on the text of the Accession Treaty.
 
Croatia applied for membership of the European Union in 2003, formal negotiations began in October 2005 and finalised on 30 June 2011, the last day of the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council.
 
The Accession Treaty will be signed in December 2011. Croatia is scheduled to become an EU member on 1 July 2013 after the treaty is ratified by all the Member States and Croatia itself.
 
Konrad Niklewicz, Spokesperson for the Polish Presidency

Source: PL2011.eu

Council of the European Union published the Draft Accession Treaty with Croatia

On September 21, 2011 the Council of the European Union decided to make accessible online the text of the draft Accession Treaty. This draft Treaty is currently available only in the English version and will be compared, in the next few weeks, with the versions in all other official languages of the EU and the Croatian language. The said document is not a final document pending the opinion of the European Commission, then the consent of the European Parliament and the final decision from the Council of the European Union.

Source: Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Croatia