Some problems were identified and they are not new, but the report says clearly that Croatia is on the right track and is ready for membership, Vandoren told the press at a ceremony marking Europe Day in Zagreb's Cvjetni Trg square.

Croatia is now in the process of ratification and it must work with even greater vigour on the remaining issues so that the next monitoring report, which is expected in October, would be even better, he added.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Josko Klisovic, said that the government had taken the European Commission's report seriously and was working on preparing answers to the suggestions contained in the report.

"Minister Vesna Pusic will present our response at a meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council on June 6," Klisovic said, expressing confidence that the autumn report would be good.

Commenting on the celebration of Europe Day and Europe Week, Klisovic said that this year's event was taking place against a backdrop of the positive outcome of the membership referendum and Croatia's forthcoming accession to the Union.

The purpose of this event is to bring the European Union closer to citizens, and the public interest is growing as people are becoming more and more aware of the fact that Croatia is joining the EU, Klisovic said.

The ceremony, organised by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, featured information stands where people could get information and free informative publications about the European Union and about the effects of forthcoming membership on their everyday lives.

The EU Delegation organised a series of events and activities to mark Europe Week, including European Film Days in Zagreb, Rijeka and Pula, and a concert in Zagreb.

Europe Week was also marked in Split.