European community. European Union (EU) Ambassador to Indonesia Julian Wilson (left) and Croatia Ambassador to Indonesia Zeljko Cimbur(right) add the Croatian flag to the other 27 EU member states at the EU Delegation office, in Jakarta, on Monday. (Courtesy of the European Union)

Croatia'€™s accession into the European Union (EU) was celebrated with an exchange of flags between Croatian and EU ambassadors to Indonesia in Jakarta, on Monday.

The Croatian flag was raised at the EU delegation alongside with the other 27 EU member states while at the Croatian Embassy, the EU flag was raised alongside the Croatian flag.

'€œIt is a historic moment both for the country and its citizens as we see the fulfillment of our long-term aspiration in becoming an EU member,'€ Croatian Ambassador to Indonesia Zeljko Cimbur said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The EU member states now number 28 and the total EU population increases to 507 million people.

EU Ambassador to Indonesia Julian Wilson said Croatia'€™s accession would strengthen Europe as it faced global challenges.

He said the enlargement benefitted existing member states not only by making the EU a bigger player in the world but also by contributing to peace, security and long-term prosperity across the continent.

'€œIt is a win-win process for both Croatia and the other member states,'€ said Wilson.

Croatia began formal accession talks began in 2005 after it applied for EU membership in 2003. The accession treaty was signed by leaders from the EU and Croatia in December 2011.

Croatia is the second country from the former Yugoslavia area to join the EU, following Slovenia'€™s accession in 2004. (ebf)

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