A decision to admit Croatia to the EU is nothing more than a political decision, Klaus told reporters at a joint press conference which he and his host, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, held on Tuesday after their meeting.
The admission to the EU is a very complex process which must not be blocked by one condition, the Czech head of state said referring to the case of the runaway General Ante Gotovina, who is wanted by the UN war crimes tribunal. The problem of the fugitive general is seen as the main obstacle for the start of Croatia's EU membership talks.
Commenting on this remaining condition for his country's entry to the European bloc, Mesic reiterated that Croatia could not meet it as the fugitive general was out of the reach of Croatian authorities.
Klaus added that one must be aware that "none of the member-countries fulfilled all the criteria before they were admitted to the EU".
The Czech president, whose country joined the Union in May last year, said that the EU was currently at a crossroads and was now dealing with issues important for the restructuring its institutions and further enlargement. He added that the 'No' at the referendums on the European constitution in France and the Netherlands was interpreted as fatigue from the union's enlargement.
"I do not want Croatia to be a victim of the failure of those referendums," he added.
Responding to reporters' comments that he was often perceived as a Euro-sceptic, Klaus said "I am an Euro-optimist".
"I have faith in the EU but not in every form of the institutionalised arrangements," he said responding to reporters' request to explain his initiative for changing the name of the European Union into the Organisation of European States.
Reiterating that the Czech Republic supports Croatia's efforts to join the EU, Klaus said that he was confident that "Croatia will become an EU member in due time".
Officials of Croatia and the Czech Republic today also discussed bilateral cooperation in the economy.
On this occasion, the two countries signed two agreements, one regulating cooperation in tourism. About one million Czech tourists visit Croatia annually. The other is a memorandum on economic cooperation.
The Czech president will meet Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic later in the day.