Croatia Set to Become 28th Member of the E.U.

May have seemed like a good idea a few years ago

Croatia is on track to accede to the EU on 1 July, the Foreign Affairs committee said in a vote on Tuesday. MEPs stressed their confidence in the strength and maturity of the country's democracy, social market economy and capacity to fulfil the obligations of membership. They also called on the three member states that have not yet approved Croatia's accession to do so without delay.

Twenty-four member states have now ratified Croatia's accession treaty but Slovenia, Denmark and Germany still have to complete the process in their parliaments. Croatia cannot join the EU until all the member states have ratified the treaty. The European Parliament gave its consent on 1 December 2011.