This is a historic day for the European Union and for Croatia. Europe is taking yet another important step towards unification and Croatia is opening a new chapter in its history, read a message from Schulz who is scheduled to attend a ceremony of Croatia's EU entry in Zagreb on Sunday evening.

It is good news when a family is growing, notably our family of values which is committed to democracy, justice and the rule of law, Schulz said.

We live in difficult times. Recession has hit Croatia hard, as did many other European countries. Membership of the EU will not offer a magical solution to the crisis. But it will help a lot of people pull out of poverty and modernise the economy. Croatia will receive funds for the construction of roads, environment protection, research and development.

Schulz recalled the EU was a peace project and that it represented a magnet for changes for the Western Balkan region which had been torn by war.

Croatia has become a leader. You have created institutions founded on democracy, rule of law, you have reformed your economy and made it more competitive. You have proved that dedication and hard work lead to EU membership, Schulz said.