"The European Union cannot do without this part of Europe and all cases so far show that the process of integration with the EU is a great motive for all countries to embrace European standards," Sanader told Croatian reporters after the plenary session of the heads of state of the 17 CEI members.
Sanader described the session as successful and added that participants had addressed the strengthening of democracy and problems in the region.
We discussed Kosovo as one of the major problems because the definition of Kosovo's status is what awaits us, the Croatian premier said.
He also expressed "firm support" to Bulgaria and Romania, two CEI members and EU membership candidates, which are to join the Union on 1 January 2007.
Sanader congratulated Bosnia-Herzegovina on the opening of negotiations with the EU on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) today.
On the margins of the conference, Sanader held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts, including the conference's host, Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek of the Czech Republic, Janez Jansa of Slovenia, Sali Berisha of Albania and Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel.
Slovakia was the chair of the CEI in the past 12 months and Albania will take over the presidency next year.