Do you agree with Croatia joining the EU

"Firstly I would just like to point out that NATO is a military organization and has nothing to do with the EU," It is true that NATO is primarily military, however, there has been extensive relations between the two groups. There are strategic relationship agreements between these two international groups including the Berlin Plus Agreement in 2002, the 2010 Lisbon Summit, the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), among other formal relations. Many nations that are part of NATO are also part of the EU making them closely related. If you are a European nation that is part of NATO then it makes sense that you should be also be part of the EU and vice-versa; assuming you have a significant military and a reasonable economy. [4] [5] " But as we can see, the situation in Greece hasn't changed, at least not for the better." Actually it is improving. As I stated in my previous argument, current projections are showing improvement throughout 2014. Through EU grants, IMF austerity, as well as internal Greek economic stimulus programs Greece is finally projected to make a comeback and things have gotten slightly better for them. You should read my sources from my previous argument. You fail to refute that in your following statements. [9] "Croatia should stay a trading partner, that way it's profitable for the EU and the country itself." While this is beneficial to an extent, it is very limiting in opportunities and is relatively stagnant for further development. The benefits that come from a nation joining the EU include: economic development, transport development, social renewal, environment and energy development, regional development, state reform, single currency (pros & cons), further international relations, and more. These benefits could greatly improve Croatia into becoming a greater country for itself and for the international community. [2] [3] Croatia's economy is actually doing fairly good, despite the global recession that has hit it for a sixth year now. Before the recession its economy was booming growing at 4-5% annually, incomes doubled, and economic and social opportunities drastically improved. Before now Croatia and the EU have to working together for the last few years to prepare Croatia for absorption into the EU with structural funds for their nation to build up its economy so they won't be a detriment. With private investments and greater export capabilities in 2015 is expected to start growing their economy again at a greater rate along with EU support. [1] "Another problem Croatia suffers from is corruption..." According to Transparancy.org, business-anti-corruption.com, and anticorruption.org corruption is an issue in Croatia; but it is quickly getting better. The HDZ Verdict last March brings with it a major turning point for increasing transparency in Croatian government which is now becoming a big movement in that country. From what I have gathered from these sources is that Croatian politics, since the process of joining the EU, have been becoming increasingly less corrupt. Additionally, most of the corruption in Croatia most notably happen at the local level of government. Most of the national government corruption comes from their legislature's need to pass laws quickly so it is not corruption intended to be counterproductive for the nation. [6, 7, 8] "If the many reports are accurate, corruption in Croatia is ruthless and systemic in a way that altogether changes the dialogue from how Croatia should enter the EU," What reports? You fail to list sources so I do not know if I can trust these "reports". I cannot find any similar reports on my sources which I know are credible. Therefore, I will not address them and I suggest voters to disregard his statements here. "As things purportedly stand now, Croatian membership in the EU would be another liability that we cannot afford to add to our ongoing exposure in Greece." Actually, as economic projections show, Croatia's membership into the EU could prove to be very economically prosperous for both parties. Croatia can be seen as a very "high risk investment" (a basic investment principle tells you that higher the risk the greater the returns) but you know that it will pay out because of the proper management that you have set up. Croatia probably wont pay out immediately (most investments don't), but it will in the long-term by the end of 2015 for sure according to projections. Again, Greece is improving moderately and consistently. "EU membership could prove a disaster for the Croatian people as well." I have already addressed this issue earlier in this argument. The benefits that come with joining the EU are numerous for the new member nation that the public can enjoy such as improved transport, social renewal, environment and energy development, regional development, state reform, and the convenience of a single currency shared with its EU neighbors. [2, 3] Sources: [1] - http://www.worldbank.org... [2] - http://europa.eu... [3] - http://www.mkik.hu... [4] - http://www.nato.int... [5] - http://natolibguides.info... [6] - http://www.transparency.org... [7] - http://www.business-anti-corruption.com... [8] - http://www.anticorruption-croatia.org... [9] - http://www.theguardian.com...