"There's no coalition between the HDZ and the SDP, but we can unite, not only the HDZ and the SDP, but also others who so wish, around important topics relating to the European Union. Why should we fight over the EU if both the SDP and the HDZ support EU membership?" Sanader said in a prime-time news programme on the commercial Nova TV network.
"Some people are probably bothered about cooperation over topics of national interest," he added.
Citing reasons for what he called "great cooperation" mainly between the HDZ and the SDP, Sanader said that EU membership talks would be held "outside daily political competition".
"United, Croatia will be a stronger negotiator, and in the end all (parliamentary parties) will bear together the burden of responsibility and explaining to the public why Croatia should join the EU," the prime minister said.
Responding to the host's question, Sanader dismissed the possibility of Branko Vukelic resigning as minister of the economy, labour and entrepreneurship.
"Minister Vukelic lacks self-promotion, something a modern politician should not be short of, but it is he who heads a department that has achieved brilliant results," the prime minister said.
Sanader reiterated that Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Andrija Hebrang and Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul were leaving the government.