News Feature

EU funds set to be awarded to Croatia

30 September 2008

Croatia and its Balkan neighbours seeking accession to the European Union (EU) are set to be awarded funds to help their cause by the body, it has been revealed.

According to Reuters, the EU's executive division has agreed how to spend the 4.5 billion euro (£3.5 million) grant.

It will principally be used for improvements in corporate governance and laws, with Croatia set to receive 451 million euros as part of the fund.

Oli Rehn, EU enlargement commissioner, told the news agency: "The road towards the EU is paved with reforms to improve the everyday lives of citizens and to comply with the strict EU accession criteria."

The other Balkan states expected to benefit from the bloc's awards are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro.

Mr Rehn recently talked up Croatia's hopes of gaining entry to the EU.

Speaking in Prague after talking with Czech officals, he predicted 2009 will be "the year of western Balkans and eastern partnership".

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