Your current motto is, 'A small country for a great vacation'. 'A brave country for a great success' is your new motto which I am now officially proposing, Buzek told the press after meeting with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.

Buzek praised the reforms carried out in the last couple of years, saying it was not easy to complete European Union accession negotiations on 35 policy chapters and that his country, Poland, had 29 chapters to negotiate.

Even though implementation is difficult, the end brings success to all citizens, he said, adding that Croatian citizens, occupied with everyday problems such as unemployment and low wages, sometimes did not understand that success.

He mentioned Poland, saying it was recording high growth rates even in times of economic crisis thanks to the reforms carried out before it joined the EU.

Buzek said macroeconomic data was much better than two years ago and that Croatia's growth rates fit in the current economic situation in the EU, adding that Zagreb had qualified for the Champions League.

Dinamo sometimes plays worse, sometimes better, but it is more important to make the Champions League than play in a lower league. I am sure that Croatia will be as successful as Ms Vlasic or Ms Kostelic, he said, referring to high jumper Blanka Vlasic and skier Janica Kostelic.

Buzek went on to say that reforms should be taken seriously and pursued, notably in the economy and administration, as well as the clampdown on corruption, war crimes trials and minority protection.

Calling Buzek a reliable friend of Croatia, Kosor said Croatia would continue to work on boosting the economy and fiscal responsibility by 1 July 2013, when it is scheduled to join the EU.

She said all reform processes were irreversible and that by joining the EU, Croatia would be coming home.

Kosor expects the European Parliament to approve Croatia's accession treaty on December 1 and Croatian citizens to vote for accession at the ensuing referendum.