The two ministers were speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Croatia's European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. They had already talked with President Stjepan Mesic, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks about Croatia's European prospects and cooperation with the EU.
Germany's Bury said the EU was ready to open entry talks with Croatia but that the issue of full cooperation was crucial for them to start on March 17.
Bury said his and Haignere's joint visit occurred at a decisive stage on Croatia's road to the EU. He said Croatia had made great progress and that Germany was ready to continue supporting its reforms in the economy, judiciary and administration -- condition for the application of EU legal standards.
"Our goal is clear. Croatia should be part of the EU. We fully support that and it is up to Croatia to make the decisive step so that can be accomplished," said Bury.
He added that in its December conclusions the European Council underlined Croatia's responsibility for full cooperation with the UN court, and recalled that chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte clearly said that the cooperation could not be considered complete if the fugitive Gotovina remained at large.
"It's not a simple problem, but Croatia has to do more and I am certain that it will so that negotiations with the EU can start on March 17," said Bury.
French Minister Haignere, visiting Croatia for the first time, said today's talks with Croatian officials were very good. She said they focused on the prospect of the EU entry talks starting on March 17 and highlighted the importance Germany and France attached to the European Council's December conclusions.
Haignere too said Croatia had made great progress but still needed to prove full cooperation with the Hague tribunal by handing over the last suspect. She said Gotovina's extradition was a significant condition for the start of the entry talks and that this was the message she and Bury had come to relay.
"We are all confident that you will manage to overcome that and do everything so that we can intensify our cooperation in Croatia's integration into the EU," she said, adding France had always supported Croatia and genuinely wished to help in all fields so that it could join the European family as soon as possible.
Grabar-Kitarovic told the press the two ministers were briefed at today's talks about the efforts Croatia was investing to settle the Gotovina issue and make it possible for the EU entry talks to start on March 17. The meeting at the European Integration Ministry focused on the European Commission's draft negotiating framework for Croatia and on Croatia's preparations for the start of the talks, notably the screening of domestic legislation.