site.btaCroatian, European Officials Welcome EC's Decision to Green-light Croatia's Eurozone Membership

Croatia is ready to become the 20th member of the eurozone on January 1, 2023, the European Commission said, and its decision was welcomed by a number of Croatian and European representatives.

Less than a decade after joining the EU, Croatia is ready to join the eurozone on January 1. This will make the Croatian economy stronger, benefiting its citizens, business, and society. The adoption of the euro by Croatia will also make the single European currency stronger, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, commenting on the EC's decision.

European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis is visiting Zagreb following the publication of a convergence report on Thursday, in which the European Central Bank and the European Commission confirmed that Croatia has met all the criteria for eurozone membership as of 1 January 2023.

Dombrovskis told Croatian journalists that one of the main reasons for his visit to Zagreb was to discuss the next steps in preparing to join the eurozone, because there are many practical steps that need to be taken. Dombrovskis said he would hold talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Croatian Central Bank Governor Boris Vujicic.

According to convergence reports published by the European Commission and the European Central Bank, Croatia has met all the criteria for adopting the euro.

The governor of the Croatian National Bank, Boris Vujicic, said: "We are very proud of this success and look forward to all the benefits it will bring to Croatia, while also recognizing the responsibility that comes with this membership."