She spoke to the press after meeting a team of NATO experts on a regular visit to Croatia.
"We discussed a series of issues concerning economic, legal, defence and security reforms... so that Croatia could join NATO as soon as possible."
Croatia has made significant headway on the road to NATO membership and there is much more to be done, said Guenther Altenburg, the NATO secretary-general's assistant for political issues and the security policy who is visiting Croatia from March 7 to 9 with the NATO team of experts.
"Croatia has made it far. Four years ago we were in intensive negotiations and now Croatia is a candidate," said Altenburg, adding it was still necessary to reform the armed forces and the judiciary, and to fully cooperate with the Hague war crimes tribunal.