Barroso opens door to EU

"Barroso finally says so: It’s over! Croats, you will soon be rewarded for your efforts," reports a delighted Jutarnji list, paraphrasing the president of the European Commission who has confirmed that Brussels intends to announce the conclusion of accession negotiations with Zagreb on 10 June. In the wake of six long years of negotiations, which Barroso has described as "very demanding, but fair," Croatia will likely become the 28th member of the EU on 1st July 2013. However, Paris and Berlin are insisting that Croatia be placed under maximum supervision until its effective accession to the EU, in particular with regard to the fight against corruption. For the Zagreb daily, the conclusion of negotiations will be the crowning achievement of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor’s government and the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, which has sought to bring talks to an end in the course of its mandate.