Speaking about relations with neighbouring countries in the interview which the RFE published on its web site on Saturday, Sanader said that one must turn to the future and to building new relations, but added that the past must not be forgotten.
Speaking of an agreement on the prosecution of war crimes signed on Friday by Croatia and Montenegro, Sanader said the document was proof that the two countries were determined to fully enforce the rule of law as well as that Montenegro was ready to face the past.
As for Croatia-Serbia relations, Sanader said the past would not be forgotten, but that lessons had to be drawn and foundations for a new future built. The PM said he saw a new future for Croatia and Serbia in the European Union.
Croatia will do all so that relations between the two countries are fully normalised and to help, as a candidate for EU membership, achieve permanent political stabilisation in our Southeast European neighbourhood, Sanader said.
Speaking about inter-ethnic tension and the latest incident in the Zadar hinterland, Sanader said that the incident was unacceptable, but that similar incidents had not been not frequent lately.
"This is the first incident after a long time. Things are much better than they seem to be," the PM said, adding that war wounds were still fresh and that a lot of patience was needed. "Skabrnja is a sore spot in Croatia's recent history where more than 80 people were slaughtered. Most of our people are religious. One should forgive, but not forget, and move on," the PM said, urging shedding light on the fate of 1,200 missing persons.
Asked about the Peljesac bridge linking the southernmost peninsula of Peljesac with the Croatian mainland off Neum, the only Bosnian coastal town, Sanader said the bridge would be built, but that two principles would be respected. "One principle is that Croatia has the right to link two parts of its territory. That right must not endanger the right of the other country to unimpeded passage. Bosnia-Herzegovina has the right to unimpeded passage. We will build the bridge respecting both principles."
Speaking about the status of Kosovo, Sanader reiterated that the problem could not be solved without Belgrade agreeing to the solution.
Speaking about the prospects of Croatia and other countries in the region on one side, and the EU on the other, Sanader said that united Europe did not stand a chance if it did not include all European countries.
Asked when he expected Croatia to be admitted to full membership of the EU, Sanader said that it would be good if Croatians could take part in elections for the European Parliament in June 2009, but that it remained to be seen whether that would happen.