Sanader told Croatian reporters covering his participation in the 17th EPP congress that this was a so-called urgent resolution, an instrument used only in exceptional situations, adding that it was important that the political bureau of the EPP had unanimously backed the proposal.
"The congress is voting on the resolution tomorrow and if it adopts the document it will mean that all parties belonging to the EPP family, the strongest group in the European Parliament, will not bring Croatia's status in question in the future but the only option will be the country's full membership of the EU," Sanader said. The resolution clearly requests that each country be assessed individually in the negotiations process, he added.
Sanader told reporters that in his speech before the congress he would reiterate Croatia's devotion to EU values and stress that after it competed the negotiations in a couple of years, the country would be ready to join the bloc.
"Then we will expect a positive decision on Croatia's full membership despite the fact that Europe is currently facing a crisis and that the process of further enlargement is being discussed," Sanader said.
He said there was no danger for Croatia to get stuck in a group of the so-called privileged partners, but stressed that one should always remain active on the diplomatic and political front.
In the afternoon, the Croatian PM was received by Pope Benedict XVI, as a guest at an audience for a delegation of the parliamentary deputies of the EPP group.
Sanader said that the meeting was pleasant and that he had a chance to talk to the Holy Father for several minutes.
"I officially invited him to visit Croatia which he accepted but could not give a specific date," Sanader said.