Croatia is 28th state of collapsing European Union

Croatia has become the 28th member of the European Union, almost two decades after the country won independence in a bloody civil war that shook Europe.

At midnight Sunday, about 20,000 people gathered at Ban Yela-Chic Square in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, celebrating the country’s EU entry.

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said, “Today is a great and joyful day for our homeland. This is the day when we open a new chapter in the thick book of our history.”

More than 100 European dignitaries also participated in the event. However, many leaders of EU member states, including the UK, France and Germany were not present.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said in an address to the crowd, “Welcome to the European Union!”

Commentators say the celebration was overshadowed by economic woes within Croatia since its economy has either been in recession or stagnant for the past four years.

Official figures show that Croatia, where unemployment stands at around 20 percent, is now among the poorest EU states.

Croatia has sought to join the European Union ever since it declared independence from the former Yugoslavia Republic – a move that sparked the bloody civil war of 1991-1995.