Naslov
Croatia – Between Regions and Regional Associations

Autori
Magaš, Damir ; Graovac, Vera

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
IGU 2006 Brisbane Conference, International Geographical Union / - , 2006

Skup
IGU 2006 Brisbane Conference, International Geographical Union

Mjesto i datum
Brisbane, Australija, 03.07.2006. - 07.07.2006

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

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

Sažetak
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, path to the admission to the EU is paved with numerous requirements that are to be fulfilled. Stabilization and Association Agreement is one of the first steps taken in order to become the member of EU. However, there are many more 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. However, this suggestion still has to be verified by the relevant state authorities. Besides making efforts to become a part of the EU, Croatia is also trying to become a member of other economic and cultural associations that would significantly contribute to its economic recovery and progress in the future. One of the associations, whose member Croatia has been for several decades is Alps-Adriatic Working Community, and this year it became the member of the newly-formed Adriatic Euroregion, which includes seven Italian regions, three Slovenian littoral municipalities, seven Croatian littoral counties, Hercegovina- Neretva Canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania. This region, with 22 million inhabitants, has been formed on the basis of common geographical position on the Adriatic, use of common natural resources, traffic connections and protection of the Adriatic as a valuable natural resource. 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.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geografija

POVEZANOST RADA