"The news that the European Commission has concluded that Croatia meets European Union membership requirements and that it should become a member on 1 July 2013 is excellent news for Croatia and all its citizens," Josipovic told the press at his office.

"First of all, I would like to thank all those who contributed to that since the creation of the Croatian state, the veterans, all our citizens who were building a European Croatia and, of course, all those who have held public office throughout this time."

Since 2000 and the then Ivica Racan Cabinet until the incumbent Jadranka Kosor Cabinet, which has brought the negotiations to a conclusion, a lot has been done on a Croatia that is developing, that respects human rights and European values, said Josipovic.

"But I would also like to point out that reforms are not over. We also need reforms that go beyond the European Union's demand and we will also need to adjust to the new standards of the European Union, which is constantly upgrading and changing."

Josipovic said that before celebrating, one should wait for the decision of the member states, but expressed confidence that the decision would be positive, that the negotiations would be completed on the political level, after which the accession treaty would undergo ratification.

"I consider today important for Croatia's history, but I also point out that our efforts must not end and that we should continue responsibly and persistently working on reforms and on the improvement of our citizens' living conditions," said Josipovic.

The European Commission today suggested to the Council of the EU to close the remaining four chapters in the negotiations with Croatia, paving the way for accession on 1 July 2013, if the Council adopts this target date.