I think that you have gone through a very demanding process of accession which means that you are probably the best prepared country that will join the European Union and I believe that this will bring you a lot of benefit, he told reporters.

I believe that the start of your country functioning as a member will be a great deal easier than for most countries that joined in 2004 and later, he said.

He added that he considered Croatia to be a very good example to other countries in the region and an important signal for the enlargement process.

Minister Pusic told reporters that the talks focussed on institutional arrangements and participation of experts and personnel from Croatia at various levels in the work of European institutions.

"It is estimated that around 249 people from Croatia will be employed in European institutions over the next five years", she said.

She added that the talks today also focussed on various issues that will face Croatia after July 1 when it becomes a full member of the bloc, particularly its ability to absorb European funds.

Pusic said that Sefcovic had offered and promised his close cooperation and assistance. "That encourages us and with that we in fact are starting with the second phase. We are no longer in the phase of accession but functioning as a member state", she stressed.

The European Commissioner welcomed Croatia to the EU and said that it was his pleasure to soon be working with the newest European Commissioner, Croatian Neven Mimica who was shown great support in the European Parliament and whom the Slovak commissioner expects to meet with tomorrow.