Speaking about Croatia's European role and responsibility which his country has as the current chair of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP), Sanader said that in the wake of the war in the mid-1990s it was not easy to cooperate.
It (cooperation) was more a consequence of efforts made by the international community than an authentic wish of the region. The development of the SEECP, however, proves that southeastern Europe has passed a long road in overcoming the consequences of the war, the Croatian premier said.
Now the time has ripened for reforms aimed at the accomplishment of strategic aims of integration with Europe, he added.
The special co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, Erhard Busek, recalled that in May this year southeastern European countries made what he called a historic decision when they agreed on the establishment of a new regional framework for cooperation, i.e. the Council for Regional Cooperation.
Strengthening regional cooperation and European integration are two concurrent processes, the Austrian said adding that when a country is entering the European Union, it does not leave its neighbours.
That is why I am looking forward to the admission of Bulgaria and Romania and to progress of Croatia in its (accession) negotiations, Busek said.
These countries will play an important role as the advocates of their region in the European Union. The responsibility for the implementation of decisions made in May is joint and lies with the countries in the region and with the international community that will continue to support southeastern Europe and the Stability Pact, Busek said at the start of the Zagreb conference.
EU membership prospects give a strong incentive for the continuation of reforms, Croatia's Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic told participants in the conference.
Therefore it is necessary for the European Union not to become tired of accepting European orientation of southeastern Europe and all of this can be achieved through concrete actions and assistance, she added.