Since the death of President Franjo Tudjman in December 1999, Croatia has made big steps towards European integration. In October 2001, it signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU and in March 2003 it submitted its application for EU membership.
The next major step is expected in June, when the EU is due to decide on opening membership negotiations with the country. The official Croatian goal is to join the EU in 2007, probably together with the other two candidates from south eastern Europe, Bulgaria and Romania.
