Racan told a news conference in the Croatian parliament that he based his assessment on the latest reports which he had received from the European Union claiming that Croatia was still not fully cooperating with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
He added that it was unfair to look at Croatia through the prism of one problem and to ignore all the other obligations it had already fulfilled.
It is an unfair and simplified assessment of Croatia when its ability to start talks is tied only to one question, namely the case of the runaway General Ante Gotovina. "We believe that the EU is wrong about this and we are sorry about it," Racan told reporters.
The SDP chief voiced concern over the strengthening of euro-scepticism in Croatia but also over the EU's treatment of Croatia.
"More and more citizens perceive such an EU as unjust and react to it emotionally, hurt and humiliated. If Europe is making a mistake in its current position towards Croatia, we believe that Croatia must not make a mistake in its reactions, primarily because of itself and the wish that its citizens may live better and more secure," Racan said.
Regardless of whether the negotiations will start this month or later, Croatia must continue with preparations for the entry talks so that they can be more efficient and speedier, Racan said.
"The dilemma of either the EU or Gotovina is wrong both for Croatia and the EU." Croatia must comply with the law and international obligations, and those in Croatia who would like to discard those obligations unilaterally do not work to the benefit of Croatia, he added.