Racan underlined that the speed and quality of the negotiations were in the national interest but that more significant was the quality of preparations for membership, namely the implementation of internal reforms and communication with the public, which he said would eventually decide on joining the European Union.
Racan said the next few years before Croatia became a full member should be spent on implementing reforms which would guarantee economic development and competitiveness on the European market, reforming the state administration and the judiciary, and devising a regional development strategy.
Racan said Croatia also needed a clear perception of the use of EU accession and public debates on the advantages and drawbacks of membership.
He went on to say that the National Committee was satisfied with the first stage of the negotiations and the screening process, which he added was expected to be wrapped up by the end of the year. He was also satisfied with the activities of and cooperation with the negotiating team.
Racan said the Committee's discussions were held in a tolerant and positive atmosphere "because it is the only way to realise the basic goal and maintain a consensual support for Croatia's EU entry".
Discussing the report, Neven Mimica of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said the government way trying to speed up the EU negotiations because of elections while neglecting the internal reforms necessary for EU membership.
He said the communication strategy was not being implemented and that the government was responsible for the slow adjustment of Croatia's legislation with the EU's acquis communautaire.
Luka Bebic of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) dismissed Mimica's claims, saying legislation was being adjusted according to plan. He said the media should play their role in informing the public in an unbiased manner of every difficulty in the negotiations.
Some clubs of deputies said the National Committee did not have the role it should have.
Vesna Pusic of the People's Party (HNS) said the problem was that seven bodies were conducting the EU entry policy and that there was no coordination among them.
Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) said Croatia could hope to join NATO only in 2008 and gain full membership of the EU in 2012 or 2013.
Chief negotiator Vladimir Drobnjak said he could not say when Croatia would join the EU but underlined that the EU counted on Croatia as its 28th member.
"The negotiations are going in the right direction but the hardest workload is ahead of us. We believe we can complete it successfully," Drobnjak said.