The countries in Southeast Europe will undergo effervescent political, economical and social events in the year ahead.
By Paul Ciocoiu for Southeast European Times in Bucharest -- 31/12/12
Several countries in the region hope to open EU accession talks in 2013. [AFP]
The geopolitical landscape of the region will change in 2013 with Croatia's EU accession, and talks with Brussels will dominate the foreign agenda of many governments.
The economy will also top many capitals' priorities with many countries facing a deficit and trying to increase growth despite the prolonged recession. In some countries, bilateral issues will make or break further diplomatic efforts.
Croatian accession to the EU is by far the most important political event in 2013 for the country. Croatia ended negotiations with the EU in 2012 and is expected to officially join the Union on July 1st 2013.
Zdravko Petek, a professor at the Faculty of Political Science of Zagreb, said that with the ability to access EU funds, Croatia will gain major potential, but it's up to its leaders to use that leverage.
"Utilisation of EU funds will surely be one of the key challenges for Croatia," Petek told SETimes.
In June 2012, Croatian citizens officially opted to join the Union in a referendum, with 66.2 percent of the votes.
"I voted for the Croatia's entry, but I don't think that a lot will change overnight," Darko Brdalj, 34, an account manager from Zagreb, told SETimes.
Kosovo is expecting a number of important developments in 2013, starting with the talks with Serbia.
Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers Hashim Thaci and Ivica Dacic are expected to meet again in