Mimica thanked the French Senate for its significant support to Croatia in the process of accession to the European Union.
He cited the possibility that Croatia might complete the accession talks and internal reforms by the end of 2008 and expressed hope that the EU would complete its institutional framework by mid-2009 to open up the way for Croatia to join the bloc.
Should that process be prolonged, Croatia would seek accession through other political and legal options, Mimica said.
Members of the France-Croatia Friendship Group pledged further support to Croatia, praising its continued work on developing democratic institutions and implementing reforms.
The two sides exchanged views on the next steps to be taken in the process of Croatia's accession to the European Union and agreed to further intensify parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.