Frattini said that "in recent months Croatia has made significant steps, reaching the goal of opening all negotiating chapters and provisionally closing 22 of them."

"It is important to underline that, compared to a year ago, the atmosphere has changed substantially. (...) The atmosphere is more relaxed now, so the pace of negotiations will essentially depend on Croatia's ability to overcome the final obstacles before signing the accession treaty in the first half of 2011, under the Hungarian presidency," the Italian foreign minister said.

"Italy supports you in reaching that goal, which means that you will become a full member in 2012," he added.

Frattini described bilateral relations between Italy and Croatia as "extraordinary". "I'd say that possibly never before have we reached this level of intensity."

When asked if Croatia and Italy had settled the issue of the property of Italian WWII refugees from Croatia, known as esuli, Frattini said that it was "a complex issue, and in many aspects painful, that brings us back to the horrors of the Second World War."

"As for the property of the esuli, I wish to stress that Italy has followed clear guidelines regarding Croatia. Firstly, that issue was not raised as a condition for Croatia's EU entry. Secondly, the international treaties signed are respected. Thirdly, the same treatment is required for Croatian and foreign citizens, including Italian, in cases not covered by the treaties," he said.

"A recent ruling by the Croatian Supreme Court, which upheld the equal treatment, represents an important step. In that context, the ruling must be applied to all Italians that at one point applied (for property restitution) and their applications must be re-examined in the light of the new principle. I believe that all the prerequisites have now been met to settle that problem. I reckon that my colleague Gordan Jandrokovic and I will achieve that goal together," Frattini said.