Sanader told reporters that the current discussion by EU member states on the future of the bloc and its enlargement would not affect the process of accession talks with Croatia.
"I think that the EU should have a phase of reflection in order to consider all aspects of enlargement, but that does not apply to Croatia. I think these processes are compatible, because the negotiations are being conducted at a technical level and are not affecting the crucial debate among members on the EU's future," the prime minister said.
Sanader said he would use the EPP meeting to seek support for Croatia's EU membership bid.
The prime minister was asked to comment on today's announcement by Croatia's leading opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) that it would call for a vote of no-confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polancec for allegedly favouring two companies in the sale of a controlling interest in the Liburnia Riviera hotel chain.
Sanader rejected the idea as an attempt by the Opposition to politicise the issue and as "an expression of envy and a feeling of powerlessness" on the part of the former prime minister and SDP leader Ivica Racan.
Later in the day, before the start of the EU spring summit, the Croatian prime minister was due to meet EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
Sanader's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party is a member of the EPP, the umbrella organisation of European Christian Democratic parties and the largest political group in the European Parliament.