"We voted for our membership and are now waiting for the ratification (of the accession treaty)," Josipovic told the press when asked to comment on Milanovic's statement earlier this week that the issues recently being discussed by the EU were very important, that they could not be accepted just like that and that Croatian citizens might have to decide on those topics at a referendum.

Josipovic said Croatia would join the EU on 1 July 2013 and that "if an issue comes up, either domestic or foreign, it's always possible for citizens to decide on it at a referendum in line with the constitution and law."

Asked if the government was doing enough to inform citizens about the EU, Josipovic said the most important job now was to provide information on projects and EU funds.

"Significant efforts are being made in that regard," he said, but added that citizens should be informed more given that the EU was their future.

Commenting on recent statements that the strongest opposition party, the HDZ, was bad-mouthing the government abroad, Josipovic said differences between parties were part of political life. "Therefore, the occasional quarrel is part of the sport we call politics."

Asked about the possible presidential candidacy of Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, Josipovic said he appreciated every politician and that she would be a serious candidate if she decided to run for president.