Karamarko made the statements on Croatian Radio responding to questions by a journalist whether the "latest statements by German politicians could mean that Croatia would not join the EU by that date".

"I take these to be well-intentioned and amicable warnings to correct some things so that we can truly be ready to join the EU", he said.

He reminded that the HDZ-led government concluded negotiations with the EU and it was up to the current government to "simply uphold the rhythm we had with the EU". He commented that it seems some clumsiness has appeared in the final phase.

"It is indicative that all this is now turning up after Premier Zoran Milanovic's visit to Germany. Instead of getting some other tones we are getting what we are getting and this is a little disappointing and I hope and trust that these are indeed well-intentioned tones and that is how we should take them and treat them", Karamarko commented.

He said that the current government took matters a little too casually and that it shouldn't have changed the Police Act which didn't get the go ahead from the European Commission. The political influence in supervisory boards too and massive replacements without any professional criteria and the Law on HRT (Croatian Television) have all contributed to the current situation, in his opinion.

"It would not be good to continue with this over-confident attitude", he added.

Karamarko commented that he was satisfied with the reception of the idea of an opposition coalition bloc in the run-up to to the local elections in 2013, and that it was favourable rather than allowing 150,000 votes being senselessly disbursed as they were in the past elections.

He stressed that collaboration depended on common political views but above all on finding a solution to the economic situation and a way to boost growth. "That's the only platform our people will agree to as far as local elections are concerned", the HDZ chief said.