Croatia's Membership Bid To Fuel EU Divisions?

Croatia's European Union dreams remain on hold. Three countries — the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Italy — have yet to ratify its Stability and Association Agreement, which is the initial step toward membership. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Jan. 30 that Italy will ratify the agreement and that he expects Britain and the Netherlands to follow. Germany, which lately has squandered its influence in Central Europe, is Croatia's biggest supporter and sees the EU bid as another opportunity to revitalize its influence in the region. If Britain and the Netherlands continue to suspend ratification of the agreement, it has the potential to cause further divisions within the EU and drive a wedge into recent cooperation between Britain and Germany.