We will bring to the EU our protected areas which are renown around the globe and with good management of these resources, Zmajlovic told the media, we can position ourselves as Europe's national park.

"Virtually 37 percent of our land will be part of the Natura 2000 European ecological network. When we include our sea, virtually 30 per cent of the country's area will be part of the Natura 2000 ecological network. That makes us one of the EU member states with the highest percentage of area in the European ecological network", Zmajlovic stressed.

Our citizens are justifiably proud of Croatia's natural beauty and after entering the EU, we will have more opportunities and instruments to protect and preserve them. By the same token, Zmajlovic added, we will have more opportunities to exploit their potential in a sustainable manner which includes enriching our tourism offer and creating "green" jobs.

The Environment and Nature Protection Ministry notes that once Croatia becomes a full member of the EU, all plans and programmes that could significantly affect the preservation and wholeness of the Natura 2000 ecological network, will have to undergo an environment impact assessment.

For the purpose of developing the system of protected areas which form the basis of Croatia's natural values and wealth, joint management standards have been set which foresee improving visitors' and research infrastructure. The objective is a quality interpretation of the importance to preserve protected areas and to educate the public about the importance of the Natura 2000 ecological network.

The ministry pointed out that once Croatia enters the EU the nature protection sector will be faced with opportunities to finance projets that Croatia cannot cover from the budget or from the budgets of individual public institutions or national and nature parks.

Croatia will as of July 1 be able to participate in the EU LIFE programme - the EU's financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU.

The ministry explained that with the start of the new EU programme period (early 2014), owners of farm land will be eligible for subsidies to preserve endangered and protected plant and animal life and their habitats,

The implementation of these measures should contribute to preserving the bio-diversity and to protect nature in Croatia as well as leading to financial benefit for farmers.

The enforcement of the Law on nature protection and regulations that have been aligned with EU regulations will ensure a responsible and quality co-existence between man and nature as well as improving and facilitating cooperation between nature protection inspectors in other EU members states.