"Yes, I invited the SDP president and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Vladimir Seks (of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union - HDZ) and Mato Arlovic (of the SDP). As prime minister and president of the strongest party in Croatia, I think there are topics that need to be discussed regardless of our rivalry," Sanader said in answer to a reporter's question at a joint press conference in Zagreb on Monday with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Sanader recalled that he had introduced the practice of meeting the leader of the strongest opposition party when he became prime minister and that he thought it was good.
"I think Croatia has attained such political maturity that its prime minister and head of the strongest party can normally meet for talks with the president of the strongest opposition party. (...) Although we are fierce political rivals, and there will be a fierce election campaign when the time comes, (...) we are equally interested in Croatia's future in the EU and NATO," the Croatian prime minister said.
Sanader said that the topics discussed also included legislation on political parties and their financing.