We will do everything we can to help negotiations to be implemented as fast as possible," the German Chancellor said.
Merkel underlined the two countries' excellent relations, stressing that Berlin had always supported Croatia on its path to the EU. She expressed satisfaction with progress Croatia made on the political and economic front.
Sanader and Merkel also talked about the situation in Southeast Europe, Merkel thanked Croatia on its engagement in the process of the stabilisation of the region. Sanader thanked the German chancellor on her country's support to Croatia. He also invited Merkel to visit Croatia.
After the meeting the two official attended a soccer match between Croatia and Brazil.
Sanader started his one-day visit to Germany by giving a talk in the European Commission's Office in Berlin on Croatia's path to the EU.
"Should Croatia had no war that claimed the lives of many people and caused a great material damage, it would have been in the EU today," Sanader said, stressing that despite the war the country was an EU candidate.
He said Croatia needed Europe just as much Europe needed Croatia as a mediator between countries of the region and the rest of the continent.
The European Union's High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Christian Schwartz- Schilling, who was present during Sanader's talk, said wester Balkan countries needed European prospects.
Sanader said it was realistic to expect from Croatia to realise its wish and join the EU by 2009.
He said that according to opinion polls, European citizens supported Croatia's joining the bloc.