Miroslav Rozic of the HSP said the incumbent government had on many occasions stated that there was no alternative to a speedy opening of the accession negotiations with the European Union. It is now necessary for Croatia to experience a thorough change, and in case that the talks are not launched by June, all of this requires early parliamentary elections, Rozic said.
Sanader told the deputy this was wishful thinking of that opposition party, adding that the HSP had the right to insist on early elections but they would not be held.
The PM said in parliament Croatia did not start the EU entry talks today, but added the country would start the talks soon.
Commenting on yesterday's decision of the EU Council of Ministers to postpone accession negotiations with Zagreb, Sanader said that this was neither a blow to Euro-enthusiasts nor encouragement to Euro-sceptics.
We must prepare ourselves for the negotiations, the PM said adding that the Brussels decision should not discourage anybody.
He highlighted the importance of a negotiating framework adopted by the EU Council of Ministers. According to Sanader, this document clearly states that the process of Croatia's integration into the EU was not halted but that it was going on.
As of yesterday, the EU has the common position that Croatia's full cooperation with the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal does not mean that the fugitive general Ante Gotovina must be in The Hague but that Croatia is doing its utmost to solve this remaining issue in its cooperation with the tribunal.
Prime Minister said that yesterday the EU Council did not vote on the postponement of the negotiations with Croatia, but the ministers vote on whether there was full cooperation or not between Croatia and the tribunal,
He added that in his opinion it was not good that consensus had not been reached, and that Croatia undoubtedly deserved the opening of the talks.
The PM also announced new diplomatic activities for this purpose.