I can guarantee that at its plenary session on December 1 the European Parliament will give its formal approval for Croatia's accession to the EU, Buzek said at a news conference he held together with Croatian Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic.

He said that Croatia was a key player in the region and an example for all Western Balkan countries to which the EU wanted to apply the European values of reconciliation, peaceful coexistence, economic progress and fighting corruption.

Buzek congratulated the Croatian parliament which he said had played a big role supporting the Croatian government in the implementation of difficult reforms which citizens sometimes did not understand, but which would definitely enable them to live in better conditions in the future.

Bebic thanked Buzek for constant support to Croatia and his personal contribution to the completion of its accession talks. He said that his talks with Buzek focused on preparations for a referendum on the accession treaty and the enforcement of legislation that had been adjusted to EU law, notably in the policy areas concerning human rights, judiciary reform, and the fight against corruption.

Bebic said he believed in a national consensus on EU entry, adding that he did not think this would be a subject of the forthcoming election campaign and that the accession treaty would be supported in the referendum.

"I believe that there will be no divisions on Croatia's political scene regarding EU entry even though we still have to inform citizens about the details of the accession treaty. But that should not be a subject of the elections campaign, which should focus on social and economic issues," said Bebic.