The process of strengthening the absorption power and the process of new enlargement can be seen as parallel processes (...) in search of new solutions through dialogue, because the very idea of the European Union is based on dialogue, Sanader said in his closing remarks at a day-long international conference on Croatia's path to EU membership.
All countries that wish to enter such a zone of peace, stability and prosperity as is the EU should be allowed to do so, and Croatia is firm in its determination to step up its preparations for full membership and is deeply convinced it will achieve this goal, he added.
The Croatian prime minister said his country was joining in all processes aimed at ensuring permanent and stable GDP growth, increasing economic competitiveness, putting education and science in the service of development, combating organised crime and terrorism, and ensuring Croatia an equal position in decision-making processes in Brussels.
Sanader noted that thanks to its membership candidate status Croatia was successfully carrying out many tasks on its path to the EU and was also actively assuming its part of responsibility for peace and stability in the region.
The EU must continue the enlargement process and the candidate countries and potential candidates must consistently fulfil the required criteria for membership, he said, noting that new and more complex benchmarks that are being set for the next round of enlargement will help Croatia achieve high standards before becoming a full member.