The UK suspended ratification of Croatia's SAA in October 2002 because of Croatia's non-cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, in particular the government's failure to act upon the indictment and arrest warrant for the late General Janko Bobetko.
"I am delighted that the UK has now ratified this agreement, I congratulate the Croatian government on taking necessary steps to fulfil the political criteria and achieve EU candidate status," British Minister for Europe Denis MacShane said.
Ratification in the Great Britain resumed in April 2004 after the European Commission, in its opinion on Croatia's EU membership application, made reference to the fact that the ICTY Chief Prosecutor had assessed that Croatia was now fully cooperating with the tribunal in The Hague.
"Croatia's future is in the EU and Croatia will have our support as it tackles the next stage in its journey towards full membership. I hope that Croatia's success will encourage others in the region to tackle the necessary reforms," the British Embassy in Zagreb cited MacShane as saying.
Croatia became an EU candidate country in June 2004.
"Meanwhile, it is important that Croatia continues to make progress on issues like the return of refugees and cooperation with the ICTY. In this respect, it is vital that Ante Gotovina appears before the tribunal in The Hague as soon as possible," MacShane said.
The SAA has been approved by both houses of the UK Parliament, it has received Royal assent and ha been signed by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, the British Embassy said. The process was completed at noon today when the ratification instrument was deposited officially with the Council of the EU in Brussels.
The Netherlands completed the ratification process in May.
The SAA between Croatia and the EU was signed on 14 May 2001.