MiddelLanD congratulates Croatia with EU membership

CONGRATULATIONS CROATIA: NEW EU MEMBER

Croatia's entry into the EU is positive news for all of us. Some insight in how the market and Middellands customers benefit.

Croatia recorded its strongest increase in tourism bookings since 2008 and local professionals notice a big up in second home sales. All is caused by Croatia joining the EU-block now officially as per 01-07-2013! We welcome this long expected entry and see it coming on exactly the right moment. If you know the insides there is more to it.. The Croatian government knows all too well that tourism is one of the main pillars to boost its economy and therefore, even during the crisis, Croatia is investing strongly to upgrade its tourism sector. This year the government will invest 400 million euros in tourism, double the amount of 2012. Most of this money goes into projects to extend the season; like cycling tracks, high-end hotels (with congress facilities), nautical tourism (new marinas and regattas), wellness facilities, the upgrading of the hinterland and adapting new laws to promote golf and resort developments. These investments make the tourist season also flourish in late spring and early autumn. The Croatian second home investment market benefits with strong incomes and longer rental seasons..

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS 1.244 ISLANDS RICHER

AS OF TODAY CROATIA IS THE 28TH MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION !!

Fireworks lit the sky and festive crowds gathered on the streets on Sunday night to mark Croatia's entry on Monday into the European Union, a major milestone 20 years after the country won independence in a bloody civil war.

Croatia became the 28th member, the first addition since Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007. Though enthusiasm for the country's achievement has been dampened by the EU's financial turmoil, it is an historic turning point for the small Balkan nation of 4.2 million, which endured years of carnage after declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.

"As midnight struck, your country crossed an important threshold," European council president Herman Van Rompuy told the cheering crowd in the capital, Zagreb. "It will change the life of this nation for good."

President Ivo Josipovic said: "In the history of a nation, there are a few events such as this one. The accession of Croatia to the EU is confirmation that each one of us belongs to the European democratic and cultural set of values."

Thousands of people waving small EU and Croatian flags joined celebrations. In Zagreb's main square, artists performed for visiting foreign leaders until midnight when fireworks and the singing of Beethoven's Ode to Joy – the EU's anthem – marked the official entry