Mixed views on Croatia's entry into EU

CNN's Nina dos Santos reports on how Croatians feel about the country entry into the European Union.

克羅地亞實(shí)現(xiàn)“歐洲夢(mèng)”。克羅地亞（Kroatien）于當(dāng)?shù)貢r(shí)間7月1日正式加入歐盟，成為歐盟的第28個(gè)成員國(guó)。歐洲的政治家們“紛紛向這個(gè)亞得里亞海畔的小國(guó)表示祝賀，同時(shí)也敦促其進(jìn)行更深層的改革”。 克羅地亞是繼斯洛文尼亞（Slowenien）之后，第二個(gè)加入歐盟的前南斯拉夫（Jugoslawien）的國(guó)家。

從與歐盟簽訂《穩(wěn)定與聯(lián)系協(xié)議》起，克羅地亞入盟之路歷經(jīng)12年。2005年10月，克羅地亞開(kāi)始與歐盟舉行入盟談判。2011年12月，歐盟議會(huì)批準(zhǔn)克羅地亞入盟條約。去年年初，克羅地亞就加入歐盟舉行全民公決，超過(guò)半數(shù)的投票者贊成加入歐盟。

Croatia is ready and fired up for a new economic era, now an EU member, this former Balkan battleground hopes to be on the path to prosperity, though not everyone believes that journey will be easy.

I think it would be good because we’ll maybe come more jobs.

We’ll be one community, and the young can go abroad studying.

I think we’re not to become a developed economy enough for such a big step.

Here in the Croatia capital, locals appear to have mixed opinions about what EU accession really means. On the one side, some say that it’ll be good to boost trade, particularly in the tourism sector. But on the other hand, a lot of people are openly questioning whether this country has come to party 10 years too late.

Croatia’s coming to the EU at a time when the block is facing some of its biggest economic challenges, with a persistent debt crisis in the euro zone and deep divisions between rich and poor member states.

Croatia should be a part of the EU 10 years ago, definitely, 5, 10 years ago, because those were all born the times that were good, and young people are also very pessimistic in this.

I think it’s not a good time to join the union, but we will see.

With 20% unemployment and more than 4 years of recession, many have had little reason for optimism. And now as this young national at the Adriatic Sea takes its place in the EU. While celebrations are muted, there are some who take heart and hope better days lie ahead.

Nina dos Santo, CNN, Zagreb