Speaking at a news conference which he held together with the head of the delegation for he European Commission in Zagreb, Vincent Degert, PM Sanader said the government had not yet studied the document because Degert handed it to him shortly before the news conference, but added that he "more or less knew what's inside"
"We are satisfied with the progress made so war and with the EC report. It underlines those issues in which there is still room for progress, and challenges laying ahead of us, but it also speaks about Croatia's progress in certain areas and chapters in the negotiations," Sanader said.
The PM reiterated Croatia was ready for full membership of the EU, adding that everything the country was doing - justice and public administration reforms, fighting corruption and organised crime - Croatia was doing because of itself and because it wanted to have its citizens live in an organised country that implements European standards.
Sanader said Croatia was optimistic about the future and said the country would intensify cooperation with the Delegation of the European Commission in Zagreb and the European Commission in Brussels.
Sanader said Degert also informed him about a strategic document on the EU enlargement policy, and on challenges laying before the bloc.
"We support this document, the way it was presented to us. We believe the document is a good foundation for further enlargement and it shows us that there are no problems regarding Croatia's membership of the bloc once we meet the criteria and end the negotiations," Sanader said.
"Regardless of open debates on the "European" Constitution and all other institutional problems, one significant principle remains and this is what Vincent Degert said - Pacta sunt servanda (Latin for "pacts must be respected") - which means that Croatia has a clear objective and that is full membership at the end of the negotiations, the PM said.
Degert said that the report was stricter than previous ones, adding however, that criticism could only help Croatia to be better prepared for membership.
By getting better prepared, Croatia will avoid the situation that Bulgaria and Romania found themselves in.
The report by me stricter than the previous ones to some extent, but it can be be of better assistance because it points to key elements that Croatia needs to correct so as to be fully prepared for membership, he said.
Speaking of political criteria for membership, Degert singled out three key areas in which Croatia was expected to accelerate the reform process - public administration, judiciary and fight against corruption and organised crime.
Degert also announced that EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn woud visit Zagreb on November 30 and December 1.