Croatia's history is difficult and bloody, but Europe's is much harder, many conflicts, wars, genocides and dominations, he said, adding that in the past 50 years Europe had had the longest period of progress.
If Europe wants to have a future different than its history, then European integration has no alternative and in this sense we can be proud, after the difficult years of war, to be able to celebrate the EU's 50th anniversary together with other freedom-loving nations.
Asked by the press if accession to NATO was imperative for Croatia's accession to the EU, Sanader answered in the negative, saying those were two different associations and that practice had shown that every country which joined the EU over the last five years had previously joined NATO, which he added was likely to happen with Croatia as well.
Speaking of public information about accession to NATO, Sanader recalled that a state committee on NATO accession was set up six months ago and that a communication strategy bound it to inform the public and hold workshops and panels. The new survey that will soon be presented will paint an entirely different picture, he added.
Speaking of Croatia-Slovenia relations, Sanader said they were friendly countries that have much more in common than a few outstanding issues. He added the issue of the sea border would be decided by arbitration and that he was pleased that Slovenia too felt the matter should be put to international arbitration and that the two countries should commit to accepting its decisions.
In an interview with tomorrow's issue of Vjesnik daily, Sanader said that Croatia's accession negotiations with the EU were proceeding very well and voiced confidence that they would wrap up by the end of 2008, when he said one could expect solutions to the European constitutions and the institutional crisis within the EU.