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European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill

Let me say this, then I will give way. Croatia has applied for European Union membership both because it sees this as of symbolic political importance and its leaders want to entrench democratic values, human rights and the rule of law in their country, and because Croatia sees some significant economic benefits to participation in the single market. Croatia also wants to move on and apply for Schengen membership. The one thing that Croatia’s leaders know is that if they were to depart from the promises that they have given,

their chances of benefiting in the way that they hope and that their people expect would be reduced accordingly. That remains a powerful motive.