"I congratulate Croatia on such an important success -- achievements in the development of the rule of law and social transformation," Plassnik said in Luxembourg on Monday following a meeting of the EU Task Force evaluating Croatia's cooperation with the Hague-based tribunal.
The meeting of the Task Force for Croatia was attended by ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte, who confirmed that Croatia was fully cooperating with the tribunal.
"Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and his aides have put in a great effort and consistent work," which provided encouragement to the Croatian people and other countries in the region, Plasnik said.
"The corner stone has been laid for trilateral cooperation between the EU, Croatia and the Hague tribunal," the Austrian minister said, concluding that "the Croatian prime minister has achieved this in difficult conditions thanks to a great political motivation and strong commitment."
As a member of the Task Force, Austria has been strongly supporting Croatia on its path to full membership of the 25-member bloc.
Austria is the next president of the European Union.