EU member Croatia joins the eurozone (and Schengen)

[wvwvw]

EU member Croatia joins the eurozone
Barbara Wesel in Zagreb
01/01/2023January 1, 2023

2023 rings in change for Croatia, with the Balkan country becoming the latest to join the eurozone and the Schengen area. The open borders are welcomed on all sides, but Croatians are wary about the new currency.

In Ivana Horvat's bakery in Zagreb, prices have long been marked both in Croatian kuna and in euros. A loaf of olive bread, for instance, costs 18.48 kuna, or €2.65 ($2.80). All the same, Horvat is skeptical about the changeover to euros.

"All prices will be rounded up. Many people have mortgages and interest rates will go up. We don't know what to expect starting on January 1," she told DW ahead of the currency's introduction.

Croatians appear to be split on the issue — 55% of the country's citizens are in favor of introducing the euro, according to a European Commission survey. Almost one out of two are concerned the euro will have negative consequences, and only one out of three believe the country is well-prepared. Meanwhile, 81% of Croats fear the introduction of the euro will lead to higher prices, a figure that has risen dramatically in recent years after the COVID pandemic dealt a severe blow to the Croatian economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism.

Skepticism is evident among the people who sell their goods at the market in Zagreb. "I am afraid of the first months in the new year. The transition period will be hard for people," said an elderly man, who declined to give his name.

Many of the street traders, most of them women, are of retirement age. They're all trying to make some extra cash to supplement their monthly pensions of around €250. Price hikes due to the new currency would hit them hardest.

'They shouldn't take away our currency'

"We are not happy about it! Everything has been fine so far, joining NATO, the EU. But they should not take away our currency! The kuna has always been our money, our grandfathers paid with it," grumbles a greengrocer, adding she is afraid that everything will become much more expensive.

The kuna was created in 1994 when Croatia became independent, and it was linked to the deutschmark — and later the euro — from the start. Confidence in the domestic currency was initially low after high inflation in the 1980s in the former Yugoslavia, where the deutschmark was regarded as a kind of reserve currency.

For cars, real estate and hotel rooms in Croatia, sales have been based on euro prices in recent years. Companies and private individuals hold assets in euros, and two-thirds of the national debt is also denominated in euros. For the government in Zagreb, the path to accession seemed inevitable as soon as the country met the Maastricht criteria, which meant it had new debt, inflation and interest rates under control.

https://www.dw.com/display/22/12/221224_IG_Euro_Zone1_EN/ressources/221224_IG_Euro_Zone_EN-md.png

Croatia a minor economic player

Usually, it's seen as an advantage if a government can increase competitiveness in the short term by devaluing an independent currency. Yet according to Katharina Gnath, a senior project manager at the Bertelsmann Foundation in Berlin, the existing close ties to the euro actually invalidate the euro critics' argument.

But the Croatian government is giving up the only instrument of its fiscal policy, argues Ljubo Jurcic, a professor emeritus at the University of Zagreb who also believes that "large countries benefit more from the euro than small ones" and that they are dominated by the interests of the stronger member states.

From an economic point of view, he told DW, Croatia with its 4 million inhabitants is a minor player. The economist said it's crucial to look at the introduction of the euro from both the perspective of the citizens and the national economy.

"Introducing the euro in Croatia is a purely political decision on the assumption that it will bring us closer to Europe, and it will be that way for ordinary citizens," said Jurcic. But he foresees "big problems for the Croatian economy." Croatia meets the Maastricht criteria in form, but not in substance, he said. "The real condition for admission is that we should have about the same level of economic development as the EU average." Croatia, however, is only at one-third of the average, he pointed out.

The Croatian economy is built primarily on services, said Jurcic, adding that about 20% of that is dependent on tourism. A longer-term reorientation will be necessary to catch up with the rest of the EU, he said, pointing out that the country so far has no plans in that direction. He believes neighboring Slovenia followed smarter policies — there, prosperity is based on production facilities for large European companies that were brought into the country shortly after independence.

Tourism industry looking forward to euro

A drive along the Croatian coast on a rainy December day gives only a rough idea of the beauty of the Opatija region with its pine forests, rocky coastline and many bays. Milan Sesar runs a family-owned hotel open all year round. During the winter, his guests — mainly visitors from Austria, Germany and neighboring northern Italy — enjoy the pool and sauna. For him, the introduction of the euro is a great relief.

"We hotel owners look forward to the euro — our work will be much easier and we are well-prepared," said Sesar. "I understand that some people are afraid of the transition, but I think there is nothing to fear. In the end, money will always be money."

Two Austrian guests from Salzburg chime in, saying that having to exchange currency is a nuisance. They add that most of all, they are looking forward to an end to the long lines at the borders. As of January 1, border controls will also be dropped because Croatia will have joined the Schengen Area, the group of European countries that have agreed to abolish passport and customs controls among one another. If that shortens the trip from Salzburg to Opatija by an hour, the Austrian women said, they might visit more often.

Sesar believes the situation can only get better. "Croatia is so beautiful that people always come here, no matter the war, economic crisis and COVID," he said, adding things will just get easier. "The euro and Schengen mean a lot for Croatian tourism and it shows that we are part of Europe," he said. "That is a big plus for Croatia."

Undoubtedly, the tourism industry stands to benefit, but for the economic future, the country needs new, higher-skilled and better-paid jobs for young people to stop them from moving to neighboring countries.

Average salaries in Croatia have risen in recent years, but at about €1,100 per month, they still rank in the bottom third of EU countries. Along with the euro, Croatia needs to reorient its economy to catch up with its wealthier neighbors.

https://www.dw.com/en/eu-member-croatia-joins-the-eurozone/a-64231647

[Jana]

Kinda retarded article.

Croatian Kuna was pegged to the Euro for decades and Croatian Central Bank didn't lead indipendent monetary policy. We basically had all the downsides of Euro without enjoying the benefits. Now we are finally enjoying the benefits.

Croatia already got improved credit score due to entering Eurozone.

All the big value things like real estate or car prices were expressed in Euros for years already. Now I'm happy I won't need to exchange more. Euro is a positive development for Croatia overall.

Prices going up is due to inflation not due to Euro. Nothing changed since Jan 1, no matter what few illiterate old women from a market place claim, lol. And EU highest inflation occured in non Eurozone Hungary. Croatia with it's old currency kuna also had higher inflation than Eurozone average.

Now with Schengen too we completely deep integration and finally left the Balkans once for good.

Economy is rising, finally, and I expect a massive investment wave in near future, also with USA agreeing double taxation avoidance contract which Croatia was last EU member not to have made until now, preventing serious investment from overseas.

I predict most stable and prosperous decades for Croatia in a long time following, maybe ever. Let's see.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/images/Screenshot_2022-02-06_at_09.11.17.png

Nice coins. I will be looking out to find my first one.

[Jana]

"The real condition for admission is that we should have about the same level of economic development as the EU average." Croatia, however, is only at one-third of the average, he pointed out.

Totally incorrect. Croatia is currently at 77% of EU average and with fast growth that is new to it, with Schengen and Euro I expect it to reach the average fairly quickly and to overtake several eastern EU members in economic development in next years.

Croatia was horrible underperforming in 2010s (complete bottom of the EU!) but in last two years things changed a lot. Now the schackles are broken I expect a lot. Potential is, well, huge.

[gixajo]

With the general uncertainty in the future of the EU and things politically and economically being so messed up in the world I don't know if Euro and Schengen will be as beneficial for newcomers as it was for us in its day.

In any case, I hope it goes well to Croatia, after all, for better or for worse, we are now all in the same boat.:rolleyes:

So, welcome and good luck.

[Jana]

With the general uncertainty in the future of the EU and things politically and economically being so messed up in the world I don't know if Euro and Schengen will be as beneficial for newcomers as it was for us in its day.

In any case, I hope it goes well to Croatia, after all, for better or for worse, we are now all in the same boat.:rolleyes:

So, welcome and good luck.

they will be enormously beneficial.

[Atlantic Reptilian]

ow with Schengen too we completely deep integration and finally left the Balkans once for good.
Dude, the Balkans would be joining/has joined the EU just like Croatia.

[gixajo]

they will be enormously beneficial.

If everything were as it was in the past, I have no doubt that Croatia could reach a similar level to many Western or Central European countries, in not a long time.

You are geographically quite well located and you have a small population with a good cultural level , desiring to do things, motivated and with a better established work culture than many "old members".

The problem is that the current situation does not seem very hopeful.

But it could just be me, who makes a very pessimistic reading of the economic reality and the future.:)

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

With the general uncertainty in the future of the EU and things politically and economically being so messed up in the world I don't know if Euro and Schengen will be as beneficial for newcomers as it was for us in its day.

In any case, I hope it goes well to Croatia, after all, for better or for worse, we are now all in the same boat.:rolleyes:

So, welcome and good luck.

For Croatia it is likely going to be beneficial. They border four countries with far weaker currencies (Hungary, Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro), two of which are on their top trading partners when it comes to exports and imports (Bosnia and Hungary). I am assuming they also import a lot of stuff from either Germany or Italy so it is better form them to do the trades in Euros rather than a devalued Kruna.

[wvwvw]

they will be enormously beneficial.

Not if Croatia now becomes a magnet for migrants. Now all migrants stranded in neighbouring countries will want to go to Croatia.

[Jana]

Not if Croatia now becomes a magnet for migrants. Now all migrants stranded in neighbouring countries will want to go to Croatia.

What on earth are you talking about? Now border towards Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina is much more severe and strong than before. FRONTEX can also be called to reinforce it. On the other hand Schengen erased border towards north and basically all migrants left Croatia.

[Jana]

Dude, the Balkans would be joining/has joined the EU just like Croatia.

Dude, this isn't a troll thread.

[Jana]

If everything were as it was in the past, I have no doubt that Croatia could reach a similar level to many Western or Central European countries, in not a long time.

You are geographically quite well located and you have a small population with a good cultural level , desiring to do things, motivated and with a better established work culture than many "old members".

The problem is that the current situation does not seem very hopeful.

But it could just be me, who makes a very pessimistic reading of the economic reality and the future.:)

Makes sense.

But thing is, Croatia is kind of anomaly in east EU. When all post-communist countries had enormous growth Croatia was totally stagnating. Now in midsts of biggest crisis Croatia had excellent growth and is kind of unscatered by war in Ukraine conequences like many other countries. It even improved it's position as energy hub in the region.

Most promising thing is that export is rising significantly. And with Schengen it will only further increase.
Near sourcing trend that is happening in the EU already benefited Croatia.

It's kind of much more attractive place now than few years ago business wise. Still tax burden is too high but I expect it (hope?) to be lowered soon.

Emigration that reached peak in late 2010s kind of already stopped, and now population decreases only due to low fertility. I expect emigration to completely halt in next few years and than reverse into plus(it's already close to that)

[Atlantic Reptilian]

Dude, this isn't a troll thread.

This is just the trend of the EU
https://www.nationsonline.org/maps/countries_europe_map.jpg

[Jana]

This is just the trend of the EU

What trend?

[Atlantic Reptilian]

What trend?

Look at the quoted image

[Insuperable]

Makes sense.

But thing is, Croatia is kind of anomaly in east EU. When all post-communist countries had enormous growth Croatia was totally stagnating. Now in midsts of biggest crisis Croatia had excellent growth and is kind of unscatered by war in Ukraine conequences like many other countries. It even improved it's position as energy hub in the region.

Maybe war had something to do with it and building momentum.

[Incal]

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/images/Screenshot_2022-02-06_at_09.11.17.png

Nice coins. I will be looking out to find my first one.

The Tesla one is probably going to annoy some xD

[Jana]

Maybe war had something to do with it and building momentum.

Yeah, for sure. It missed first wave of foreign investments in 1990s due to war/post war.
Than also due to Franjo Tuđman being in international isolation. No blame for him tho, ofc.

Than delayed EU accession etc. But we also have own guilt like destroying industry while some of it could have been kept. Some other post-socialist countries were smarter.

But glad now finally future looks bright. Even industry is recovering, especially small scale industry in north-west Croatia.

Next move should be to revitalize agriculture IMO and make order of the land books chaos that was caused by commies. Lack of legal order in land book registry is one of main reason why much of agricultural land stays unused.

[Jana]

The Tesla one is probably going to annoy some xD

I wouldn't chose Tesla. But I don't think Serbs should be annoyed since they use ethnically Croat Nobel prize winning writer Ivo Andrić on their dinar notes.

[Jana]

Look at the quoted image

Western Balkan isn't joining EU anytime soon as things stand right now.

[Insuperable]

The Tesla one is probably going to annoy some xD

It's kinda cringe they put Tesla.

[Dušan]

The Tesla one is probably going to annoy some xD

It was extremely mean.
On the level that Turks put the some famous Armenian or Pontic Greek on the Turkish lira coin.

[Jana]

It was extremely mean.
On the level that Turks put the some famous Armenian or Pontic Greek on the Turkish lira coin.

Totally incomparable as Tesla loved Croatia. You Serbs already put a Croat on your money so it's kinda hypocrite to complain. I still wouldn't chose Tesla tho.

[Jana]

It's kinda cringe they put Tesla.

I wouldn't say cringe but see better options as Tesla isn't that important to Croatia. He did most of his work in USA and for that reason I wouldn't chose him.

Ethnicity argument is extremely cringe.

When I was in Hungary there were everywhere celebrated Hungarian scientists of Jewish origin, known as "the Martians" and no one sane would think it is controversial.

[Dušan]

Totally incomparable as Tesla loved Croatia. You Serbs already put a Croat on your money so it's kinda hypocrite to complain. I still wouldn't chose Tesla tho.

Completly comparable with Armenian or Pontic Greek on Turkish lira coin.
All three ethnic communities (Serbs in Croatia, Armenians and Greeks in Turkey) are destroyed, but Turks at least have a bit of sense not to put Armenian or Pontic Greek on their currency.

Ivo Andrić voluntarly moved to Belgrade, instead of Zagreb, wrote his literal works on Serbian, and about Serbian related themes.

[Jana]

Completly comparable with Armenian or Pontic Greek on Turkigh lira coin.
All three ethnic communities (Serbs in Croatia, Armenians and Greeks in Turkey) are destroyed, but Turks at least have a bit of sense not to put Armenian or Pontic Greek on their currency.

Ivo Andrić voluntarly moved to Belgrade, instead of Zagreb, wrote his literal works on Serbian, and about Serbian related themes.

It's not comparable. There was holocaust of Jews in Hungary but Hungary still considers it's Jewish scientists Hungarian scientists, with respect of their ethnic origin.

example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Szilard


Leo Szilard (/ˈsɪlɑːrd/; Hungarian: Szilárd Leó, pronounced [ˈsilaːrd ˈlɛoː]; born Leó Spitz; February 11, 1898 – May 30, 1964) was a Hungarian-German-American physicist and inventor.

He was born as Leó Spitz in Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary, on February 11, 1898. His middle-class Jewish parents, Lajos (Louis) Spitz, a civil engineer, and Tekla Vidor, raised Leó on the Városligeti Fasor in Pest.

Only in the Balkans things like this are controversial. I have no problem with Andrić being used on Serbian money as he did his work in Serbia and on Serbian language but he was still ethnic Croat thus some Balkan brain could find it controversial.

[Jana]

Marie Salomea Skłodowska–Curie (/ˈkjʊəri/ KURE-ee,[4] French pronunciation: ​[maʁi kyʁi], Polish pronunciation: [ˈmarja skwɔˈdɔfska kʲiˈri]; born Maria Salomea Skłodowska, Polish: [ˈmarja salɔˈmɛa skwɔˈdɔfska]; 7 November 1867 – 4 July 1934) was a Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie

she in cathegory of both French and Polish scientists/nobel prize winners on wikipedia and she was obv ethnically Polish.

As I said, Balkans is really backward.

[wvwvw]

https://www.adriaticpearls.com/sites/52e824a04c193efdad00007c/assets/585266a24c193e7d020007bc/shutterstock_250364092.jpg
Alfred Hitchcock said that seaside town Zadar in Dalmatia has the best sunset in the world!

https://www.adriaticpearls.com/sites/52e824a04c193efdad00007c/assets/585006f94c193e9cc1002bf4/Croatian_cravat.png
Thanks to Croats you look so good in official suite. Croatia invented the necktie.

https://www.adriaticpearls.com/sites/52e824a04c193efdad00007c/assets/550bf99e4c193e7270000bd1/shutterstock_249734065.jpg
Games of Thrones Kings Landing is in fact Croatian town Dubrovnik.

https://www.adriaticpearls.com/sites/52e824a04c193efdad00007c/assets/56d03d674c193e5587000935/pula.jpgRoman Gladiators used to fight here. Amphitheatre in Croatia is one of only 3 preserved in the world.

https://www.adriaticpearls.com/sites/52e824a04c193efdad00007c/assets/585261f84c193e5c33000404/prvi-torpedo.jpg
Torpedo is Croatian. World’s first torpedo was constructed by Ivan Lupis Vukic from Rijeka.

[gixajo]

To avoid controversy with the famous characters on your coins, I would propose a unique character on all future coins of the Balkan countries that adhere to the common currency.

https://i.postimg.cc/2STPV8P4/eurogixajo.png (https://postimages.org/)

:)

[Florin Radu]

It will be good for Croatia to be in Schengen area so congratulations and I'm a little jealous. It's bullshit that Romania was kept out of Schengen based on one Austrian vote when we meet all the requirements for membership and then some. The same Austrians that pay for Mortimer to sit home and eat McDonalds won't let Romanian into Schengen based on a complete lie that Romania is a route for migrants. Nonsense. I will be joining many Romanians in completely boycotting on Austrian companies.

[Jana]

It will be good for Croatia to be in Schengen area so congratulations and I'm a little jealous. It's bullshit that Romania was kept out of Schengen based on one Austrian vote when we meet all the requirements for membership and then some. The same Austrians that pay for Mortimer to sit home and eat McDonalds won't let Romanian into Schengen based on a complete lie that Romania is a route for migrants. Nonsense. I will be joining many Romanians in completely boycotting on Austrian companies.

Austria is politically prostitute country. They let us in only because they need gas from our LNG terminal I think.

Romania and Bulgaria will join soon, can't see another veto at all in the future, that would be too much.

Although, I think Romania should think about detaching from Bulgaria in the process and prepare Schengen ready border on the Danube.

More members are against Bulgaria than Romania and it is Bulgaria that borders Turkey.

[wvwvw]

It will be good for Croatia to be in Schengen area so congratulations and I'm a little jealous. It's bullshit that Romania was kept out of Schengen based on one Austrian vote when we meet all the requirements for membership and then some. The same Austrians that pay for Mortimer to sit home and eat McDonalds won't let Romanian into Schengen based on a complete lie that Romania is a route for migrants. Nonsense. I will be joining many Romanians in completely boycotting on Austrian companies.

I think its because of Romania's gypsies who have flooded European capitals even without Schengen.

Council of Europe estimates: approximately 1.85 million Roma live in Romania (8.32% of the population).

Ditto for Bulgaria: According to data of the European Commission, to which Eurostat belongs, the Romani in Bulgaria number 750,000 and they constitute 10.33% of the population. An NGO estimates that the number of the Romani in Bulgaria is twice as this high and their population grows by 35,000 a year.

[Jana]

I think its because of Romania's gypsies who have flooded European capitals even without Schengen.

Possible as pleb is stupid but that would be silly reason as Gypsies already have free movement inside EU. I think it may more to do with notoriously selfish and not so fair Netherlands not wanting ports like Constanta competing with Rotterdam.

We have ports too ofc but it's a much smaller economy and infrastructure to make us competitive (new railways) still isn't built.

Romania being kept out of Schengen makes it notably less competitive economically.
which is why they should simply veto anything these countries want. same treatment.

Mind that NL only blocked Bulgaria, but they knew by blocking BG RO won't be able to join either.

[Incal]

It will be good for Croatia to be in Schengen area so congratulations and I'm a little jealous. It's bullshit that Romania was kept out of Schengen based on one Austrian vote when we meet all the requirements for membership and then some. The same Austrians that pay for Mortimer to sit home and eat McDonalds won't let Romanian into Schengen based on a complete lie that Romania is a route for migrants. Nonsense. I will be joining many Romanians in completely boycotting on Austrian companies.

LMAO

[Jana]

As for Bulgaria, some countries are afraid of it having border with Turkey due to alleged corruption of Bulgarian Police.

With Bulgaria in Schengen migrants have open passage from Turkey to western/northern Europe.

[Florin Radu]

I think its because of Romania's gypsies who have flooded European capitals even without Schengen.

Council of Europe estimates: approximately 1.85 million Roma live in Romania (8.32% of the population).

Ditto for Bulgaria: According to data of the European Commission, to which Eurostat belongs, the Romani in Bulgaria number 750,000 and they constitute 10.33% of the population. An NGO estimates that the number of the Romani in Bulgaria is twice as this high and their population grows by 35,000 a year.

First off, if that is the reason then they are cowards for not saying it outright. These gypsies can already move there anyway under EU and Schengen makes no difference for that. Romanian gypsies never "flooded" all the capitals anyway, that is just your anti-Romanian tabloid talk.

[Jana]

won't let Romanian into Schengen based on a complete lie that Romania is a route for migrants.

Btw this may be true for last few months. We also got MANY migrants but Austrians said by tracking migrants phones most of them came via Hungary (70%).

Now, Hungary has border wall with Serbia (and Croatia).

But it's not really fault of Romania, but fault of Serbia.

From what I gather, Serbia basically invited third world migrants by having visa free regime with countries like Tunisia, Bangladesh, India and Burundi (but they are revoking that now thankfully) and than many of them crossed first into Romania trough wall-free Banat and than into Hungary (which has no fence towards Romania)>>>Austria

Many went from Serbia to Bosnia and than Croatia>>Slovenia>>Austria but seems that was minority of them.

[Laredo]

Not sure If its a good thing or bad, but congratulations.

[Ruggery]

Something that I still don't understand is why Switzerland is not part of the EU?

[Jana]

Something that I still don't understand is why Switzerland is not part of the EU?

It's not, they like to be on their own and are too rich for EU just like Norway xD

But they are part of Schengen zone.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Something that I still don't understand is why Switzerland is not part of the EU?

No need to. Switzerland is traditionally a neutral country (albeit they have several bilateral treaties with the EU and enjoy similar rights on certain aspects).

[gixajo]

Something that I still don't understand is why Switzerland is not part of the EU?

Because they prefer to maintain their fiscal autonomy, specially but not only in all related with their banks, something that allows them to be a refuge for foreign capital (although less than in the past).

Remaining on the border of being part of the EU is something that benefits both Switzerland and the EU. It´s a similar case , but in a different level, than Andorra.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Because they prefer to maintain their fiscal autonomy, specially but not only in all related with their banks, something that allows them to be a refuge for foreign capital (although less than in the past).

Remaining on the border of being part of the EU is something that benefits both Switzerland and the EU. It´s a similar case , but in a different level, than Andorra.

It is also not in their interest to become one of the main net contributors in the EU (understandably), which they likely would since they are one of the most wealthy and developed nations on the planet. With that said, I have the feeling that if Switzerland ever faces a serious economic crisis, they will be knocking on EU door for a membership (and it will probably be the quickest acceptance process in EU history). Same for Norway.

[Ruggery]

Because they prefer to maintain their fiscal autonomy, specially but not only in all related with their banks, something that allows them to be a refuge for foreign capital (although less than in the past).

Remaining on the border of being part of the EU is something that benefits both Switzerland and the EU. It´s a similar case , but in a different level, than Andorra.

In other words, it is a tax haven, I have heard that Switzerland has banks where many millionaires from all over the world keep their money there.

[Aldaris]

I wouldn't say cringe but see better options as Tesla isn't that important to Croatia. He did most of his work in USA and for that reason I wouldn't chose him.

Ethnicity argument is extremely cringe.

When I was in Hungary there were everywhere celebrated Hungarian scientists of Jewish origin, known as "the Martians" and no one sane would think it is controversial.

Why? People like Kurt Gödel or Gregor Mendel were born and raised in the same city I'm living in. It means nothing to me, those guys and me are not related ethnically (at least on the surface level). I'm more proud of people like Otakar Borůvka (look him up), who was an ethnic Moravian and while he was not born in Brno, he worked at our university and managed to be one of the greatest mathematicians in his time.

[Ruggery]

It is also not in their interest to become one of the main net contributors in the EU (understandably), which they likely would since they are one of the most wealthy and developed nations on the planet. With that said, I have the feeling that if Switzerland ever faces a serious economic crisis, they will be knocking on EU door for a membership (and it will probably be the quickest acceptance process in EU history). Same for Norway.

I see more probable that Germany or France go into crisis before Switzerland.

[rothaer]

(...)

Next move should be to revitalize agriculture IMO and make order of the land books chaos that was caused by commies. Lack of legal order in land book registry is one of main reason why much of agricultural land stays unused.

Actually a transparent, long term reliable and working legal order is extremely important for an economy and attracting investments. Countries who don't have that are inevitable out of the competition for top level investments.

[Mejgusu]

I have the feeling that if Switzerland ever faces a serious economic crisis, they will be knocking on EU door for a membership (and it will probably be the quickest acceptance process in EU history). Same for Norway.

I think it isn’t very realistic that countries like Switzerland or Norway would struggle economically and both would lean towards EU-membership. Both countries could have an economic crisis, that isn’t unrealistic but that would happen while most of EU members are also affected by a crisis, especially Germany and France. Switzerland wouldn’t probably see any benefits of a weak EU with struggling Germany or France.

[rothaer]

To avoid controversy with the famous characters on your coins, I would propose a unique character on all future coins of the Balkan countries that adhere to the common currency.

https://i.postimg.cc/2STPV8P4/eurogixajo.png (https://postimages.org/)

:)

But I'd be thankful to not perform it unter a FRG label...

[Jana]

Why? People like Kurt Gödel or Gregor Mendel were born and raised in the same city I'm living in. It means nothing to me, those guys and me are not related ethnically (at least on the surface level). I'm more proud of people like Otakar Borůvka (look him up), who was an ethnic Moravian and while he was not born in Brno, he worked at our university and managed to be one of the greatest mathematicians in his time.

and Mendel is among other listed under cathegory Czech scientists. Just like Kafka is listed among Czech writers depite being Jewish who wrote on German language. I was in Prague and we visited Kafka house which was a tourist attraction.

Otakar Borůvka was Czech born in Czechia I see, so where is the controversy?

I as a Croat take more pride in Serb Tesla who loved his homeland and offered his services to it than into Croat Andrić who loved Serbia, lived there and even declared himself as Serb in census iirc.

Should France reject Napoleon?

It's a pure Balkan dilemma that doesn't exist in advanced societies.

[Jana]

Jew Franz Kafka on Czechoslovak money. I guess he has right to be only on Israeli money [sarcastic mode on]

https://media.numisbids.com/sales/hosted/katz/029/image00064.jpg

[Jana]

and here is specimen Euro Czech design. So I guess if CZ enters Eurozone big chance for Kafka to end up on a coin.

https://img.ma-shops.com/sesambestcoins/pic/101615.jpg

[Mingle]

I wouldn't say cringe but see better options as Tesla isn't that important to Croatia.
What would have been some better choices?

[Mingle]

It is also not in their interest to become one of the main net contributors in the EU (understandably), which they likely would since they are one of the most wealthy and developed nations on the planet.
Same applies to Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. But they're all in the EU.

[Jana]

What would have been some better choices?

only from scientists this one for eg:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Joseph_Boscovich

or this one:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fausto_Veranzio

They did lot of their work and inventions in Croatia unlike Tesla.

From miltary figures you have heroes like these:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_IV_Zrinski

worthy females (literature):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_Juri%C4%87_Zagorka

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivana_Brli%C4%87-Ma%C5%BEurani%C4%87

Men:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miroslav_Krle%C5%BEa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antun_Gustav_Mato%C5%A1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_Ujevi%C4%87

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marko_Maruli%C4%87

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Gunduli%C4%87

etc.

From non Croats are also many other candidates:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_%C5%A0enoa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetozar_Boroevi%C4%87

or Croats born outside of Croatia like this Catholic saint:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_Mandi%C4%87

I would personally chose Ante Starčević (half Serb btw) for sure.
He is politically most important Croat ever probably. A man ahead of his time and father of the Nation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante_Star%C4%8Devi%C4%87

[Jana]

Btw Nikola Šubić Zrinski is also considered Hungarian national hero. Croats don't mind it and are proud Hungarians also embrace him.
Hungarian military academy in Budapest is named in his honor for example.

[Mingle]

I would personally chose Ante Starčević (half Serb btw) for sure.
He is politically most important Croat ever probably. A man ahead of his time and father of the Nation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante_Star%C4%8Devi%C4%87
Isn't he the man that claimed Serbs are just Orthodox Croats? Choosing him may have caused similar controversy.

[Jana]

Isn't he the man that claimed Serbs are just Orthodox Croats? Choosing him may have caused similar controversy.

He claimed it just to counter Serb claims how Croats are Catholic Serbs, brilliant lol. In reality he was a civic nationalist and wrote how Croats should accept any good intented Serb, Gypsy, Jew for a brother.

[Aldaris]

and Mendel is among other listed under cathegory Czech scientists. Just like Kafka is listed among Czech writers depite being Jewish who wrote on German language. I was in Prague and we visited Kafka house which was a tourist attraction.

That may be, but I don't take the category of 'Czech scientists' to be accurate. In order to be one, you have to be a Czech and a scientist. Mendel was a German. As for Kafka, I don't consider him Czech either - as you've pointed out, he was a Jew.


Otakar Borůvka was Czech born in Czechia I see, so where is the controversy?

There is none in his case, which was the point. He was a true native, so to speak. The rest of the mentioned were basically foreigners.


I as a Croat take more pride in Serb Tesla who loved his homeland and offered his services to it than into Croat Andrić who loved Serbia, lived there and even declared himself as Serb in census iirc.

Yes, that kinda makes sense.


Should France reject Napoleon?

Why would they? He was French. From Corsica, but still.

[Jana]

Why would they? He was French. From Corsica, but still.

He was ethnically Italian tho, as Corsicans are. He felt French ofc.

[Aldaris]

He was ethnically Italian tho, as Corsicans are. He felt French ofc.

You're right about Napoleon, checked that after a quick nap. I always thought he was French who just happened to be born in Corsica, but apparently he was indeed an ethnic Italian.

[wvwvw]

Why would they? He was French. From Corsica, but still.

And likely Greek from his father's side.

Panorias daughter Laura Stefanopoulos, Juno’s wife, was known as Countess D’Abrantes. In her "Recollections" she mentioned about the details of Napoleon’s family life which Napoleon never argued.

"In the Bonaparte’s house we spoke Greek with the Napoleon’s father… Bonaparte’s ancestor by name of Kalomeros (from the Stefanopoulos’ kin) had moved from Aiaccio to the Toscana region. There his Greek name was changed into an Italian and sounded like Bona Parte, that was a literate translation from Greek to Italian.

Laura, the Countess of D’Abrantes, continues: "There is another characteristic case: "Stefanopoulos-Komninos" when speaking of the Bonaparte’s always used their Greek name Kalomeros, Kalomeri or Kalomerians, depending on whether they talked about one man or many men!"

It is rather peculiar that the first scholar work of Napoleon had a rather characteristic title: "Memoires sur l’education des jeunes Maniotes" ("Recollections on the unpbringing of young Maniots").

In the years of his omnipotence Napoleon showed much milder attitude to the Corsican Maniots and enslaved Greeks than to the local Corsicans.
http://www.mani.org.gr/en/history/napoleon.htm

The Fascinating Story of the Greeks of Corsica
https://greekreporter.com/2020/07/26/the-fascinating-story-of-the-greeks-of-corsica/

[Roy]

Congratulations Croatia!