EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

Croatia's upcoming accession to the EU will be a positive signal to the entire Balkan region and will provide new business opportunities for Latvian businessmen in the region, Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee members noted previously.

Croatia's accession will also encourage other Balkan counties to carry out the necessary reforms, Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ojars Eriks Kalnins (Unity) said, reports LETA.

Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis pointed out that Croatia's accession to the EU will expand the bloc's single market, increasing expansion opportunities on the Balkan market. Slovenia is currently the only EU member state representing the region.

Croatia's accession treaty, signed on December 11, 2011, must be ratified by all EU member states. It is expected that Croatia will become a full-fledged EU member on July 1, 2013, explained Teikmanis.