Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusic said on Wednesday the referendum on Croatia's European Union accession to be held on Sunday was a very important decision for the country which meant ensuring or missing the chance for Croatia.
Pusic was urging citizens in downtown Zagreb, as part of a campaign by her Croatian People's Party (HNS), to go to the referendum and vote for Croatia's EU entry.
Asked by the press what would happen if the majority voted against accession, she said the whole country would bear the economic consequences of such a decision.
"Within the first week, it would probably be visible in the credit rating and the price of capital. After that, in the withdrawal of investments and layoffs. That effect would be evident very soon."
Asked if it was true that citizens could "forget about pensions" if Croatia did not join the EU, Pusic said the pension issue was difficult now and that it would remain difficult if Croatia did not start recovering, as pensions and salaries in state services depended on the strength of the national economy.
She recalled that there was one pensioner relative to less than two employees now, saying this was untenable for the economy.
For Croatia, it is critical to start coming out of the economic crisis, employing people and having a higher employment rate, which is not possible without economic stability, said Pusic.
She stressed that political stability was a prerequisite of a positive investment climate and credit rating and that "Croatia can't function without economic recovery any longer, and this requires a message of political stability."
Pusic went on to say that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told her earlier today that Sweden's economic recovery had been the result of their efforts and reforms but that EU membership had provided the stability that made that possible.
Asked to comment on surveys showing that 56 per cent of Croatians are in favour of accession and 33 percent against, Pusic said she would be happy if that were so. "Anything above 50 per cent is a positive referendum result and gives Croatia a chance."
She added that Sweden joined the EU with 52 per cent support which had now jumped to 73 per cent.
Asked to comment on the fact that 20 years ago the countries of the then European Community recognised Croatia and that Croatians now felt that the EU would take their sovereignty, Pusic voiced confidence that would not happen and that citizens would be reasonable.
