"We want an above-party agreement and then we will go into action. A task force will draw up conclusions which will be put to parliament," said Sanader.
The government today set up the task force which will draft EFPZ application rules by honouring the non-discrimination principle and Croatian legal provisions on protection of the Adriatic and fisheries.
Sanader said that although the government had drawn up a proposal for parliament, it wanted to once again consider with the president of the republic, the parliament speaker and the leaders of parliamentary parties all aspects of EFPZ application, in accordance with an inter-party meeting of two months ago.
Sanader reiterated that Croatia had the sovereign and autonomous right to proclaim the EFPZ and that this was within parliament's powers. "There are no misunderstandings about that or doubts that this was some sort of trilateral agreement."
"Given that Italy and Slovenia and some other EU countries unilaterally proclaimed their ecology, fisheries, economic and archaeological zones, Croatia is entitled to do the same," said Sanader.
The fact that parliament postponed the application of the EFPZ to EU members until the completion of negotiations with the European Commission on an agreement on partnership in fisheries, and the fact that Croatia notified the EC, Italy and Slovenia of its decision only testifies to Croatia's responsibility and maturity, said Sanader.
He added, however, that the situation had changed since the decision to postpone the application as Italy and Slovenia proclaimed their own zones. He described Slovenia's as "legally absolutely unfounded". Croatia has become a candidate for EU accession and no longer needs an agreement on partnership in fisheries but an agreement on the European Common Fisheries Policy and to negotiate on the fisheries chapter as part of EU accession negotiations.
"Croatia knows it is the good practice of EU countries and progressive countries to consult about their moves with the association they want to join, which is why now, in accordance with the conclusions of the inter-party meeting, we will continue consultations with the European Commission and EU members," said Sanader.
We will apply the EFPZ responsibly so as not to undermine Croatia's strategic interests and its international position, he added.
Sanader also said that the policy chapter on education and culture would be opened and temporarily closed at the Intergovernmental Conference on Monday. He added that according to the government's information, another one or two policy chapters were expected to be opened by the end of the year.
Ambassadors of EU member countries (COREPER) today adopted a joint negotiating position for launching negotiations with Croatia on the education and culture chapter, Hina learned from EU president Finland.
This will be the second chapter Croatia will open and temporarily close negotiations on after the chapter on science and research. The education and culture chapter is also the point at which the accession processes of Croatia and Turkey are finally separated as COREPER did not even discuss the EU's joint negotiating position on this chapter with Turkey.