Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader is attending.
Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel voiced hope the European Council would give Croatia a date for the negotiations at its December 17 summit. He said Croatia had accomplished a lot and deserved absolute support for the realisation of its hope that the talks begin early next year.
Schuessel said the date would have considerable impact on the other countries in the region as well because they would realise that reforms did pay off.
Sanader said Croatia expected the European Council to adopt a decision stating the talks would start in March or April 2005.
He added Croatia remained committed to meeting obligations towards the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, the judicial reform, and the return of refugees and their property.
Sanader thanked Schuessel for the support and understanding, and said Croatia had done a lot and would do everything to show it was meeting its commitments.