European Union is looking to formally finalise the negotiatons with Croatia either on 21 June or 30 June, daily Jutarnji List writes.

What remains is setting the deadline for the signing of the accession agreement. Although the majority party Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has said it would not matter who signs the agreement, diplomatic circles believe they are eager to have it done by October in order to score a few more points for the current prime minister prior to the parliamentary elections.

For the EU, Croatia's internal calendar has little importance and they will take the time to finish the procedure which includes finishing the drawing up of the agreement as well as its translation into all official languages.

Currently there are three possible deadlines, the earliest being October and the latest December.

Even the December deadline would give the member states and Croatia enough time for ratification (which could last around 18 months). According to this calendar, Croatia would formally become an EU member on 1 July 2013.