1st of July of 2013. This is the date in when Croatia will become the 28th member of the European Union. Exactly 8 years after its initial bid, accession talks between the ex-yugoslav country and the Union were finalized on Wednesday. Now, the 300 page long treaty is set to be signed by all European heads of state during the upcoming summit in Brussels.

Unlike Romania and Bulgaria's accession in 2007, Croatia's treaty does not include a "safeguard clause" that would slow down the process if final requirements were not met by the croatian state. But recent scandals of corruption will see the Union closely monitoring Croatia's battle against corruption. In 2009, the former prime minister Ivo Sanader was accused of fraud as he allegedly sent money from state-own companies to a fund for personal use.

Croatian authorities have independently decided to hold a referendum on the EU membership. Recent polls showed that 61% of Croats would vote in favour.

The prospect of EU membership comes straight after elections were held last week. Recession, high unemployment and scandals of corruption removed the center-right party from power after it was in office for nearly two decades. Instead, the newly formed center-left coalition Kukuriku won the elections and will govern with Zoran Milanovic, a 45- year-old lawyer and former diplomat, as the next premier.

Kukuriku also is enthusiastic about membership of the union, so the change of government is not going to turn Croatia's back on EU membership.