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Fireworks light up the Croatian sky

欧盟现在共有28个成员国。在经过近一个世纪的等待后，从本周一开始，克罗地亚正式成为欧盟成员国之一。上千人参加了在首都萨格勒布举行的庆祝仪式。不过参加庆祝的民众和外国首脑都对克罗地亚融入欧洲一体化进程的未来持谨慎观望态度。以下是 Guy De Launey 发来的报道：

As the clock struck midnight, the anthem of the European Union rang out across Zagreb's main square and at last Croatia completed its journey from combat zone of the former Yugoslavia to member of Europe's biggest club.

But this was not entirely an ode to joy. Zagreb's main square was hardly packed for most of the coming-out party. And that reflects the ambivalence many people here now feel about membership. After the prolonged economic crisis, the EU no longer looks like the promised land Croatia applied to join a decade ago.

Likewise, the new member's own economic troubles have caused concern among the other 27 states. Visiting foreign ministers stressed the EU's role as a builder of peace rather than prosperity. A good point, bearing in mind Croatia's recent past. But also, perhaps, a diplomatic fig-leaf.