Ahead of the completion of the accession negotiations I would say that it is very important for your country to become a member of this union of values. EU membership is the best investment into the stability and prosperity of the region, said van der Linden, who was on an official visit to Zagreb.
He went on to say that the "union of values" was also a guarantee against a recurrence of regional conflicts from the recent past.
Bebic told reporters that he had acquainted his guest with the current state of affairs in Croatia, conveying to him his position that "procrastination of the negotiations might negatively affect the Croatian public."
Van der Linden said that the Dutch Senate was very pro-European and supported the Union's enlargement.
His message to Croatia is that the Senate is strict and unbending when it comes to the implementation of the membership criteria but that it will be fair when it comes to the political assessments.
As for the prospective completion of Croatia's EU entry talks, he believes that when it comes to the policy area No. 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights - the implementation of the rule of law is the most important thing for citizens. In this context he pointed out the struggle against corruption and the settlement of the refugee issue.
Bebic thanked van der Linden for the support the Netherlands had offered during Croatia's admission to NATO and expressed hope that the Dutch parliament would be among the first ones to ratify the EU-Croatia accession treaty.
Croatia's Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Gordan Jandrokovic also received the head of the Dutch Senate.
According to a press release from the foreign ministry, Jandrokovic and van der Linden voiced satisfaction with the excellent and friendly bilateral relations.
Jandrokovic thanked the Netherlands for the support and financial assistance it was providing to Croatia on its path towards the EU.
The Croatian minister reaffirmed Croatia's commitment to bringing its EU entry talks to conclusion by the end of Hungary's EU presidency, which expires on 30 June 2011.
The Dutch Senate head reiterated that he supported the efforts that were being made towards that goal.
The two officials also discussed the situation in Southeast Europe.