engleski

Croatia - Between Regions and Regional Associations

Due to its specific position, shape, cultural and historical background Croatia can be regarded as both Central European and Mediterranean country, and its tradition has been strongly rooted in these two cultural spheres. Although Croatia was a part of the Yugoslavia and Eastern bloc, the influences of Central European and Mediterranean civilizational heritage have been more favourable for Croatia than that of the Balkans, particularly in view of cultural and religious differences between the West and the East. So, in geopolitical terms Croatia was, and still is, a border area between the West and the East. After the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, Croatia gained its long wanted independence and is now striving to become a part of the European Union. However, there are many reforms to be carried out, among which is the territorial division of the state into NUTS regions. According to the proposition of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, adopted by Eurostat, Croatia can be divided into one NUTS I region (the whole country) four NUTS II regions and twenty-one NUTS III regions. Besides making efforts to become a part of the EU, Croatia is also trying to become a member of other economic and cultural associations. This year it became the member of the newly-formed Adriatic Euroregion with 22 million inhabitants. Yet, Croatia is not eager to join all associations proposed by the EU, and the best example of the Croatia's reluctance is the so-called Western Balkans economic union, which is supposed to be composed of all ex-Yugoslav states except Slovenia, and with the addition of Albania.

Croatia ; regions ; regional associations ; NUTS regions ; EU ; Adriatic Euroregion

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