He attributed the rise to the fact that everything in Croatia was transparent and the broad European Integration Ministry campaign within which citizens could learn what EU entry brought Croatia.
According to the poll which Puls agency did for Croatian Television on 1,000 people, 52 percent of Croatians see their future in the EU, up four percent from last month. The number of those against EU entry went up as well, to 43 percent, while the number of the undecided went down.
Sanader said admission to the Union would provide Croatians with bigger prospects and better living conditions.
He said Croatia would be part of a huge market of more than 500 million people, which he added was an opportunity for Croatia's economy to become more competitive.
The PM said admission also meant the adoption of values shared in Europe, which he added would not be a problem for Croatians because the country already shared those values and was attached to democracy and the rule of law.
Sanader said EU entry was a question of prestige because it entailed membership "of the most elite club of the contemporary world," as well as of "political wisdom" because it entailed "sitting at the table where decisions on the common European future are made".
He agreed with the assessment that Croatia must change "some of its behaviour" and adapt to changes before joining the EU, and said Croatia must get rid of the Balkan mentality.
As for the poll's result that 51 percent of Croatians object to Croatia's admission to NATO, Sander said that was because NATO was identified with the war in Iraq.
He said NATO was not Iraq and that Croatia must join because the purpose of the alliance was care for collective security, the fight against terrorism, and the protection of common values, democracy and freedom.