- Published: 01.07.2025.
Press release on 12th anniversary of Croatia’s EU membership
During the accession process, the Republic of Croatia transformed from a country that had only recently been forced to fight to defend its very existence into a country that became a member of the most advanced group of nations in the world. As a society, we went through a major transformation, and this is an opportunity to remember all those who participated in this intense and demanding process and who, through their work and dedication, contributed to making the Republic of Croatia what it is today—a full-fledged member of the European Union.
Joining the European Union was not the end but the beginning of a new process, which continued with our entry into the eurozone and the Schengen Area. These milestones demonstrated that Croatia both can and wants to be among the Union’s most advanced members. Over the years, we have built economic security and stability and, through EU membership, gained a powerful lever for further economic growth and the creation of a welfare state for all citizens of the Republic of Croatia.
We take advantage of the opportunities offered by the European Union, but we also contribute solutions. Croatia, for example, is becoming an increasingly important element on Europe’s energy map thanks to the LNG terminal as an alternative to Russian gas, and the JANAF pipeline, which represents an efficient and economical oil transport system for both domestic and international users.
Beyond economic benefits and EU funding, we never forget that the European Union is a community of values - values we share - and a rule of law to which we are fully committed.
Despite these successes, today the European Union faces challenges we could not have imagined during the accession process. We believed that after the Homeland War, we would never again witness war on European soil. Unfortunately, reality has proven otherwise. Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine marks a paradigm shift. The European Union, once a project of peace and economic integration, must now also consider building its own defence capabilities and defence industry - areas where the Republic of Croatia can contribute with its knowledge and experience.
Over the years, we have acquired the knowledge and experience to actively participate in shaping new proposals, solutions, and advances at the EU level - in cooperation with other member states and international partners - and to use these efforts to improve the daily lives, safety, and prosperity of our citizens. With support from EU funds, we have rebuilt Zagreb and the Banovina region after the earthquakes, and we are implementing priorities such as digital and green transitions, connectivity, and many others.
As an EU member state, we consistently advocate for the continuation of the EU enlargement process, which has proven to be the strongest guarantor of stability in Southeast Europe and a key driver of the comprehensive transformation of societies in the region. For Croatia, a clear and unequivocal commitment to further EU enlargement - based on merit and fulfilment of necessary criteria, along with adequate preparation of candidate countries - remains a top priority. We continue to particularly support the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to provide assistance to BiH on that path.
On the occasion of the anniversary of Croatia’s accession to the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is organizing the European Film Festival, running from July 8 to 26, 2025.
The European Film Festival will take place at the Tuškanac Summer Stage and the Sesvete Cinema, where visitors can attend free screenings of European film premieres in Croatia across 27 showings.
This year’s festival program focuses on biographical portrayals of major artistic figures who influenced the cultural and artistic dynamics of their time and beyond, leaving a significant impact on new generations of artists.
The European Film Festival is organized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the City of Zagreb, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC), and the cultural institutes and embassies of Slovakia, Lithuania, Poland, and Italy, and is produced by the artistic organization Metropolis.