The Croatian prime minister said before a summit of the EU 27 member states in Brussels this week that Croatia would be ready for full membership by July 2013. He said that the issues that had been discussed in the EU in recent months were very important and could not be simply accepted, and that Croatian citizens would perhaps have to decide on those issues in a referendum, the HSS recalled in a statement on Saturday.

"With this statement of his, the Prime Minister has shocked not just the Croatian public but also European politicians who are helping Croatia in the European integration process. His statement not only shows his total lack of understanding of the EU integration processes, but it also adds fuel to the fire of domestic Euro-sceptics and opponents of Croatia's accession to the EU. With this kind of government communication strategy concerning European affairs, a possible referendum could bring into question Croatia's EU membership, which could mean a total disaster for the economic future of Croatia and its citizens and their future in general," the statement said.

EU leaders met at the summit to finalise the process of monetary and fiscal integration that is necessary for overcoming the present crisis and for Europe's development. In order to secure a platform for the economic growth of the EU countries in the future, greater monetary and fiscal integration is necessary, and Croatia must accept those achievements, the HSS said.

"Fear of such integrative processes, which was fuelled by the Prime Minister's statement, is completely unjustified and dangerous for the European future of Croatia," the party said.

The only external stimulus to Croatian economic growth and job creation can and must come from the effects of Croatia becoming a full member of the EU. By joining the EU, Croatia will not only have access to EU funds, "welcome envelopes" and other development funds, but it will also help Croatia halve its borrowing costs, the statement said.