"It's a wind to the back of the Croatian government," Kosor told reporters in Zagreb, adding that it was the last step towards the closing of that chapter.

Kosor said she had been confident that the efforts and results of the Croatian government, particularly those regarding cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal and fighting corruption, would be acknowledged.

"It's good news for the government and for Croatia. As you can see, it pays to work hard to the end," she said.

Kosor said that the Netherlands was inviting Croatia to submit its negotiating position on the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights chapter.

The Netherlands, Britain, Denmark, Belgium and Finland have used their veto powers to prevent Croatia from opening negotiations on that chapter over objections raised by the chief prosecutor of the Hague war crimes tribunal, Serge Brammertz, that Zagreb was not fully cooperating in delivering military documents sought by prosecutors in the trial of three Croatian generals. All those countries but the Netherlands lifted their vetoes about ten days ago.

Kosor said she was satisfied with everyone involved in efforts to meet the requirements for opening Chapter 23, adding that Croatia's negotiating position was ready.

"Despite the blockade, we persevered in our work with commitment and dedication. We didn't stop or give up," the PM said.

Kosor said that Croatia would also open two chapters which she had agreed with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said in the Dutch Parliament that his government agreed that Croatia should be invited to submit its negotiating position on the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights chapter and that the chapter would be opened after the EU agreed on closing benchmarks.

The Netherlands wants clear references in the closing benchmarks that Croatia must deliver the requested documents and ensure full cooperation with the Hague tribunal, Gijs Korevaar, spokesman for the Dutch foreign minister, told Hina in Brussels.

Since the next intergovernmental accession conference with Croatia is scheduled for February 19, there is not enough time for the preparation of a common EU negotiating position, so Chapter 23 will most likely be opened in April.

The European Commission confirmed at the end of 2008 that Croatia had met all the benchmarks for Chapter 23, which did not include cooperation with the Hague tribunal. However, the five EU members blocked the opening of talks on that chapter on account of objections from the tribunal's chief prosecutor.