Country Watch
clauses,” which would have provided legal mech- anisms for the EU to remedy anticipated difficul- ties and/or delay inclusion of the new member state should it ultimately be unprepared for EU membership. The EU demanded that safeguard clauses be included in the accession treaties ac- cepting Bulgaria and Romania, two other former Soviet bloc countries, into the EU in 2007.
One expert from the German Institute for Inter- national and Security Affairs suggested that the finalization of the treaty had more to do with poli- tics than actual reforms made within the former Yugoslav nation. Specifically, he commented that pressure from current member states such as Germany, Hungary, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic, influenced the decision. Even though EU leadership stressed strict oversight of continued reform in Zagreb, critics fear the moni- toring system will be a mere formality, with very little effect.
Sources inside Croatia also commented that the country’s accession is being expedited with- out waiting for proper reforms. Experts at the Adriatic Institute for Public Policy noted that, in reality, Croatia’s efforts for reform reveal “a de- ceitful cherry-picking scheme” of changes made solely to conclude EU negotiations and thus win support among voters for national parliamentary elections scheduled later this year.
The finalization of Croatia’s accession treaty text will be marked by an official signing ceremony scheduled for December 19, 2011. The treaty is expected to receive signatures from all relevant parties. In order for Croatia to formally assume membership within the EU, the accession treaty must pass referendum by Croatian citizens. Each of the 27 existing member states must also for- mally ratify the Treaty according to its domestic law, usually by passing a parliamentary vote. Though EU observers note that additional ques- tions may arise during the ratification process, especially pertaining to Croatia’s continued ef-
forts to comply with membership criteria, all member states are expected to ratify the acces- sion treaty.
Croatia is poised to receive EU membership rights on July 1, 2013. Representing the gateway to Eastern Europe, Croatia will be a significant ad- dition to the EU, which has focused on increasing economic opportunities and spreading integra- tion across the continent since its founding.
*Submitted by Kristen Klump
Palau Seeks ICJ Advisory Opinion Regarding Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels
Climate change is threatening the very existence of many of the world’s island nations. Increases in greenhouse gases (GHGs) have led to a rise in global temperature. This global rise in temper- ature has resulted in the melting of the Earth’s polar ice caps, which, in turn, has caused sea level to rise and possibly engulf some low-lying island nations such as Palau. On September 22, 2011, Johnson Toribiong, the President of Palau, called upon the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, urgently seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Tor-
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ILSA Quarterly » volume 20 » issue 2 » December 2011
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