The EPP congress is being held in the Italian capital on Thursday and Friday.
The EU enlargement in 2004 was a great step in creating an integral and free Europe, but I believe that we can all agree that the unification process is not yet completed, Sanader said before several hundred envoys who gathered in Rome.
Sanader recalled that Croatia's EU negotiations talks were launched on 3 October 2005, adding that the country's membership talks should result in Croatia's full membership of the bloc which would confirm the correctness of the Croatian government's policy. Some of Croatia's neighbours are also preparing for a European future, Sanader said, highlighting this fact as an advantage for Croatia.
Croatia's strength and role in Southeast Europe on this front is of great use to the European Union, Sanader said.
Even though Croatia is in the process of accession negotiations, Sanader's speech was included in the work of the first plenary session on Thursday. The talks were also given by the prime ministers of the EU member states. The prime ministers of non-EU member states will give talks on Friday.
Sanader emphasised successfully implemented reforms in Croatia and the fact that the country was successfully implementing the reconciliation policy, promoting social integration and that representatives of all national minorities in Croatia were taking part in the coalition government with the Croatian Democratic Union at its helm.
Croatian successful reforms are an encouragement to all other reform forces in Southeast Europe.
I am very aware of debates currently being held within the EU about how the bloc should be organised in the future. However, this is not and should not be in contradiction with the fast track negotiations with Croatia, Sanader said.
Thanking the Croatian PM on his speech, EPP president Wilfried Martens expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Croatia-EU membership talks had been launched. We have fully supported Croatia on its path to the EU on a number of occasions and Croatia can count on our support in the future, the EPP president told Sanader.
As the only candidate, Martens was re-elected party president this evening. He has been the party president since 1990.