"One has nothing to do with the other, even though the extradition of general Gotovina is a condition for the start of EU entry talks," Sanader said in Split on Sunday evening.
"The European Union is Croatia's future and there is no alternative," he added.
Asked to commenting on the putting up of posters of General Gotovina and messages directed against the government's policy, Sander said: "It needs to be stressed that the Gotovina situation must not be politicised".
Croatia is facing a serious decision and we must do everything to start negotiations on 17 March, Sanader said and added that those working against the negotiations were working against Croatia.