The two officials voiced confidence that Croatia and Macedonia could be the generators of the region's progress towards the European Union and NATO.
Earlier today, Sanader held talks with Macedonian Prime Minister Hari Kostov and Parliament Speaker Ljupce Jordanovski. He also attended an economic forum which pooled business people from Macedonia, representatives of 20 of the largest Croatian companies, Croatian Economy Minister Branko Vukelic, and Croatian Chamber of the Economy president Nadan Vidosevic.
In his address to the forum, Sanader said Croatia expected to begin EU entry talks next March and voiced confidence the country would be ready to join the bloc as early as 2007. He added Croatia would benefit from the experience of the countries which had recently joined the Union, which experience he said Croatia was ready to transfer to Macedonia so as to achieve the common goal -- united Europe.
"That will significantly determine our economic future, for which we must prepare by expanding cooperation. We are satisfied that bilateral trade in the last two years has gone up 14 percent and now stands at US$15 million. What's important is that the trade is balanced, but we must continue to increase it."
Sanader reiterated Croatia wished to increase its presence in neighbouring countries and the region. He said he and his Macedonian hosts concluded "there's no economic prosperity without lasting political stability".
Sanader also met with representatives of the Croat community in Macedonia.