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The former Yugoslav nation of Croatia has wrapped up its accession talks with EU officials, and should become the Balkans' first member of the bloc by mid-2013, a move that is sure to boost values for property owners.
As the last round of discussions came to a close yesterday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said the body was pleased with Croatia's efforts to reform its economy and political system since it broke from Yugoslavia. "In 20 years of independence, Croatia has changed tremendously", Fuele told reporters in Brussels. "It has made impressive progress in meeting EU membership criteria. Today, this has been rewarded."
The next step for the country is the signing of an Accession Treaty, which will be drawn up by the end of this year. It will then have to be ratified by all 27 existing EU member states before Croatia can officially become part of the bloc on its planned accession date, July 1, 2013.
The world's housing markets had a weak third quarter of 2011, according to the latest survey of worldwide house price indices prepared by the Global Property Guide. During the year to end Q3 2011, house prices fell in 25 countries (out of the 44 for which quarterly house price statistics are available) and rose in only 19.
Croatian tourism is on track for a record-breaking year, with an eight percent increase in visitors since January, the tourism minister said Wednesday.
Croatia has moved closer towards wrapping up its EU entry talks and its neighbour Hungary says that could happen by July.
Croatian president Ivo Josipovic said Tuesday he still hoped to conclude European Union accession talks soon, despite disagreements among member states over the schedule for membership.
Croatian house prices have stabilized, after mild but steady price falls since 2008. The national price of advertised houses was slightly up (0.4%) in January 2011 from the previous month, but 3.8% down on the previous year, according to CentarNekretnina.
With the launch of easyjet's new Gatwick-Zagreb route, Croatia could present a low-cost, scenic weekend getaway for winter holidaymakers.
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Croatian Minister of Tourism Damir Bajs has said that 2010 will likely be the year of "last-minute" tourism.
The 2009 International Property Rights Index shows that the protection of property rights still remains a challenge for most of the Balkans...
A border row dating back to the collapse of Yugoslavia is threatening Croatia's chances of completing EU membership talks this year...