Pusic told reporters there were two jobs ahead of Croatia - one concerning reforms and moves of a technical nature that need to be done by June, namely by the end of May, and the other job is political.

"As far as meeting the conditions is concerning, I believe there are four concrete operative things that need to be done and this can be done and the results can absolutely be shown. All of this refers to the chapter on the judiciary and fundamental rights and, without a doubt, this can be done over the next months and, as far as formal conditions are concerned, we have everything ready for closing," Pusic said.

At the same time, the prime minister and the president of the republic, with the help of everyone else, must hold talks with EU member states and invest efforts to have this political decision become final, Pusic said.

"In my opinion, an exceptionally small number of countries are still having doubts about whether we can wrap up the negotiations in June. However, I believe that it is clear to everyone that, as far as conditions are concerned, there isn't anything that we would not be able to finish by June but would be able by October, as these are the only two dates that are being talked about," Pusic said.

Mimica said that it was not in the interest of any relevant political party in Croatia to have the EU negotiations prolonged until the autumn. According to him, the opposition's job is to create and maintain an atmosphere of political consensus on European issues which it initiated and in which it took part.

"I believe that over the next several months a good government, a good negotiating team and good ministries can and must make these few steps, some of which may be big," Mimica told the press. He added that European parliamentarians also believed this was a difficult but possible task.

Rapporteur Swoboda did not make a statement to the press.