The path of Croatia towards the European Union has been a difficult one, possibly the most difficult of all countries yet, Milanovic told those present. He added that the time at which Croatia was entering the Union was also difficult, but that EU membership would pay off.

Despite its shortcomings, the European Union has achieved huge results. It has put countries of different social and cultural roots together. Differences still exist and are visible at the present time of crisis, but the general assessment is that the EU is a very good thing, the Croatian prime minister said.

Speaking of the current economic situation in Croatia, Milanovic said that "it is not terrible, but it is difficult."

The vice-chairman of the SPD group in the Bundestag, Axel Schaefer, said in a discussion following the lecture that he was confident that "over 90 per cent" of German lawmakers would vote in favour of Croatia's EU accession treaty.

After the lecture, Milanovic travelled back to Croatia. Before the lecture, he visited the transport technology fair Innotrans and the stands of Croatian companies displaying their products there, and met with the chairman of the German Committee on Economic Relations with Eastern Europe, Eckhard Cordes.