Croatians set to back EU membership / Croatians vote Yes to join EU

Croatians voted on the 22 January 2012 in a referendum on joining the European Union, with opinion polls pointing to a respectable endorsement despite doubts about the bloc’s economic benefits.

Based on early results without a complete vote count, the 'yes' side prevailed with 66% support versus 33% against EU membership.

Turnout was estimated at 43%, almost 14% less than for parliamentary elections less than two months earlier.

Croatia is set to become the EU’s 28th member state in July 2013, pending the results of the referendum as well as ratification by all 27 current member states.

BBC News, 23.1.12: Croatia EU referendum: Voters back membership http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16670298

Deutsche Welle, 22.1.12: Croats say 'yes' to EU membership http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6702424,00.html

France24, 23.1.12: Croatians vote 'yes' to EU membership http://www.france24.com/en/20120123-croatia-zaghreb-referendum-eu-accession-referendum-zoran-milanovic

Novi List / Slobodna Dalmacija / Jutarnji List, 23.1.12: A small “yes” to EU (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/press-review/1432971-small-yes-eu

ESO: Background information: Croatia: Referendum on EU Accession, 22 January 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/croatia-referendum-on-eu-accession-22-january-2012-croatias-20-year-journey-from-independence-to-eu-accession/

Committee of the Regions: Press Release, COR/12/3: The president of the Committee of the Regions welcomes the Croatian people's "yes" to Europe http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=COR/12/3&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/12/29: Joint statement of European Commission President Barroso and European Council President Van Rompuy on the outcome of the EU accession referendum in Croatia http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/29&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 23.1.12: Croats say resounding 'yes' to EU membership http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/croats-resounding-eu-news-510307

EUObserver, 23.1.12: Croatians vote 'yes' to EU accession http://euobserver.com/9/114977

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