A Croatian diplomatic source said on Thursday that although support for the start of Croatia's EU entry talks was not the primary goal of the visit, as Slovakia has expressed its support on many occasions, this question would be one of the more important topics.
Slovakia supports Croatia unconditionally with regard to the start of the talks and this visit will be an opportunity to seek further support, the same source said.
The most recent confirmation of that support has come from Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan, who has told the TASR agency that Bratislava advocates the start of Croatia's entry talks on March 17, but he has also added that no concessions can be made with regard to the transfer of the runaway general Ante Gotovina to the Hague war crimes tribunal.
Kukan has also stated that it is not entirely clear that Croatia's cooperation with the tribunal is incomplete.
During the visit, Sanader will meet his Slovak counterpart Mikulas Dzurinda, Parliament Speaker Pavol Hrushovski, and President Ivan Gasparovic, as well as members of the Croat minority.
Sanader is accompanied by Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic and Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship Minister Branko Vukelic.