Hopes for entry to the EU run through almost every aspect of the political and economic life in Croatia, whose government has set the ambitious goal of meeting tough EU entry standards by the end of 2008, says the newspaper, pointing to the national consensus on this issue and the fact that the committee monitoring EU membership talks is headed by the leader of the main opposition party.
Joining the EU would be "the exclamation mark on our statehood and our international recognition", the newspaper quotes the country's chief negotiator with the EU, Vladimir Drobnjak, as saying.
The paper says that Zagreb has completed the initial "screening" stage, when the European Commission identifies potential gaps between EU law and the current laws of the candidate country. Zagreb and Ankara started this stage together, but Croatia is next in the likely accession sequence and, according to independent economic analysts, it is economically healthier than Romania and Bulgaria, which are to be admitted in 2007.
The Financial Times recalls the structural deficiency of the EU, whose current agreements prevent further enlargement until a new constitution is adopted, as well as long-standing border disputes between Croatia and Slovenia. It quotes Croatian Foreign Ministry state secretary Hido Biscevic as saying that Slovenia will not misuse its EU presidency in 2008 to stall Croatia's accession process.
The paper quotes Croatian PM Ivo Sanader as saying that Croatia wants to be a leader and set a positive example in the region, which he believes "deserves a strong and clear European perspective".
The newspaper also mentions Sanader's recent visit to the United States, where US President George W. Bush offered Croatia support to join NATO in 2008.
As for next year's parliamentary elections, the paper says that both main parties in Croatia advocate a faster privatisation and entry to the EU. However, it notes that in light of elections the ruling HDZ is hesitant to make painful decisions such as the privatisation of shipyards and cuts in health spending.
The paper also reports about recriminations being exchanged between the HDZ and the main opposition SDP party and notes that by including Serb representatives into his government Sanader has distanced himself from the hard-line nationalist past of the previous HDZ-led government.
A special feature on the economy compares the successful municipality of Buzet in the northern Adriatic Istria region, which has no unemployed, and the war-ravaged municipality Dvor na Uni, where only 420 people are employed.
In an article on tourism, the paper notes Croatia's aspiration to become a country of elite tourism, saying that this segment needs more investment into capacities and quality.
In an article on the country's banking sector, the Financial Times points to a credit explosion and risks of such a policy, adding that EU banks control 90 percent of the national banking sector. The paper quotes foreign investors as admitting that the value of their investments in Croatia grows faster than in their countries of origin.
In an article on the right to return for dozens of thousands of refugees and displaced people, the paper quotes the head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Jorge Fuentes, as urging the construction of more housing and the granting of pensions to Serb returnees. It also cites the assessment by Human Rights Watch that Croatia has not done enough to reintegrate Serbs.
The Financial Times also brings an interview with the coach of the national football team, Slaven Bilic.