The European Commission has approved the last pre-accession and transition assistance programme for Croatia. The €46,8 million programme will focus on strengthening administrative capacity for an efficient justice system and the protection of fundamental rights. The funding will also support Croatia's on-going efforts to build a modern, transparent, and citizen-oriented public service.

" Croatia is almost there. I am confident this year's programme will help Croatia reach its last goals in preparing for the entry and become a successful EU Member State ", said EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle.

As well as focusing on key reform areas, the last pre-accession programme will also help upgrade the border infrastructure in Tovarnik and Maljevac, rehabilitate the Turopolje Correctional Institute, provide support for Croatian Civil Society Organisations, and finance de-mining activities in Lika-Senj, Sisak-Moslavina, and Zadar County.

Since 2007, the EU has made available a total of €998 million in financial support to Croatia under pre-accession assistance (IPA). All these funds have now been allocated. As a future EU Member State, Croatia will subsequently benefit from Structural and Cohesion funds.

Eoin Treacy's view The Croatian currency is comparatively firm against the US Dollar and the stock market has rallied for the last five consecutive weeks to break the two-year progression of lower rally highs. A sustained move below 1750 would be required to question medium-term scope for additional upside.