The adoption of the resolution was proposed by the national committee monitoring entry negotiations with the EU, whose chairman Ivica Racan of the Social Democrats (SDP) stressed that the unanimous support confirmed the intention of all parliamentary parties to invest maximum efforts in the promotion of a national consensus on strategic issues regarding the country's admission to the EU.
"This final section of the path to full membership of the EU will not be easy and it's not going to be all beer and skittles in the Union, but with good performance on our behalf we stand a better chance of success," Racan said.
Gordan Jandrokovic of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) expects the resolution to enable the Parliament to stay in the game and have an impact on the outcome of the negotiations.
Neven Mimica of the SDP said the negotiations had been prepared well adding, however, that Croatia was falling behind with internal reforms. He also said that nothing had been done to inform the public of the importance of the negotiations and EU membership.
Mimica said that entry negotiations were not about outwitting, but about facilitating reforms to help the country adjust to EU standards in the best possible way.
Miroslav Rozic of the Party of Rights (HSP) said Croatia would not start from scratch in the negotiations because it had already signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement which clearly defined its objectives and positions.
Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) said that by starting the entry talks, Croatia was leaving the western Balkans for good, but added that there was no reason for euphoria, because this could cost Croatia billions of euros due to unresolved property-rights issues, such as denationalisation.
Vesna Pusic of the People's Party (HNS) agreed there was no reason for euphoria but added that one had to be happy because the opening of Croatia's EU entry talks was indeed a good thing.
Pusic advocated the continuation of internal reforms.
Parliament resumed its session with a debate on the draft resolution.