The debate was organised by the Vienna-based Institute for International Economic Studies.
The coordinator of the Stability for Southeast Europe, Erhard Busek, said the application of free trade agreements in the region was just a preparation for the entry of transition countries into the European Union.
He added that the terms of investing in Southeast Europe had to be improved, and that the countries in the region would have to cooperate on their way to the EU.
Croatian European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said each country in the region should be able to enter the Union based on its own merits and results in the adoption of European standards and criteria.
She said Croatia's EU candidate status could be a signal and a model for the other countries in the region, and added that Croatia was interested in the liberalisation of trade and in investing in the region.
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus said Croatia should serve as an example of what should be done on the road to the EU and how.