"We in Croatia are aware of the fact that the results of the referendums are a big reason for introspection and thinking. There is no doubt that the EU is in a crisis," Sanader told reporters upon arrival in Meise, outside Brussels, to attend a meeting of leaders of the European People's Party, who traditionally meet before every EU summit.
"Despite the crisis, we believe that there is no need for stopping the enlargement process, because if negotiations with Croatia started now, they would certainly last two to three years, during which time the EU could resolve its problems," the Croatian prime minister said.
Sanader said that he expected that the EPP leaders, including nine prime ministers of EU member states, would also discuss enlargement.
The main topics to be discussed by the EPP leaders are the financial perspective, the framework plan of expenditure for the 2007-2013 period and the constitutional crisis. The same issues will be addressed by leaders of the 25 member states at the summit that starts on Thursday evening.
After the EPP meeting in Meise, Sanader returns to Zagreb because EU president Luxemburg has cancelled a meeting with leaders of EU membership candidate countries because it expects a stormy debate on the financial perspective that might last until early Saturday morning.
The leaders of the candidate countries will be informed of the summit results in writing.