Participants in the discussion described Croatia as a very ambitious and engaged country which strives to join the united Europe very soon.
The EU special rapporteur for Croatia, Austrian deputy in the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda, praised Croatia for making headway in reforms, development and in meeting requirements for EU membership, adding that it had set a good example to other countries in the region.
Swoboda said that Zagreb had still much to do in the reform of the judiciary, privatisation, property restitution, and modernisation of the country's infrastructure.
He also spoke about Croatia's long European history and its links with Austria.
With regard to a possible date for Croatia's admission into the European Union, Swoboda said that Croatia could enter the Union in the period between 2009 and 2011.
Commenting on Croatia's efforts to join the EU, the Croatian chief negotiator in the membership talks, Vladimir Drobnjak, said his country's goals were to have high quality negotiations with the EU and complete them by 2009 so that Croatians can take part in the EU parliamentary elections that year.
Martin Sajdik, the head of the EU and Integration Department of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, said that the packed hall of the Grand Hotel where the conference was held was the best evidence of how much Austrians were interested in Croatia.
"Austria is a real friend and stands by Croatia on its road to the EU," the Austrian official said.
Croatian Ambassador in Vienna Zoran Jasic thanked Austria for its continuous support to Croatia, voicing hope that this event, organised by the Austrian Presidency of the EU, would help deepen bilateral relations.