"Croatia is ready to meet the Copenhagen criteria and the acquis communautaire, as well as some political criteria - the return of refugees, the issue of national minorities, cooperation with the

Hague Tribunal, and the reform of the justice system," Sanader said.

Solana said he was satisfied with what he had heard, with the prime minister's approach and his vision. He said that the atmosphere in Croatia was very constructive, which was very important for relations with the EU.

The EU official said that progress had been made after the change of authority in Croatia and that he would inform his colleagues in the EU of his impressions.

"I hope very much that the dreams that your country has will become reality... Croatia set out on a very important journey and the final station will be Brussels... I cannot tell you now if it is going to be tomorrow when the train arrives or the day after tomorrow".

Asked whether Carla del Ponte's opinion would determine the European Commission's final position on Croatia, Solana said the Chief Prosecutor of the UN Tribunal was not a member of the EU.

"The cooperation with the institution she represents is very important, but it is not the only criterion for the decision about the future of your country in the European Union," Solana said. However, the EU insists on cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, which is of fundamental importance, he added.

There are some problems in relations between Croatia and the EU, but they can be overcome through joint efforts, Solana said.

Asked whether those problems referred to the non-extradition of Ante Gotovina to the UN tribunal, Solana said he did not want to speak about that in public.

Prime Minister Sanader stressed the importance of a positive response of the European Commission for Croatia, as well as for other countries in the region.

"We are confident that the project of united Europe cannot be completed without Croatia and the countries in the region," Sanader said.

"We are interested in the pro-European future of all countries in our neighbourhood," Sanader said, adding that Croatia would do all "to normalise relations in the region and help the EU and the international community to achieve lasting and political stability in the region".

Asked whether the EU expected Croatia not to sign an agreement on the non-extradition of US citizens to the International Criminal Court, Solana said that the EU had not changed its stand, and that today ha had the opportunity to hear that the Croatian government had not changed its stand either.

(HINA)