"We support Croatia's accession to the European Union. We have always considered it scandalous that Croatia is still not a member of the EU and that, I dare say, Croatia is more prepared for the EU than some of its present members," Semjen said at a press conference after meeting Croatian Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic.

Semjen said that Hungarian officials had pointed that out a lot of times at EU meetings.

Speaking of Budapest's priorities for its six-month presidency of the Union in the first half of next year, Semjen cited EU enlargement, diversification of energy sources, economic growth, and demographic policy.

"Our political ambition is that Croatia should sign the accession treaty during the Hungarian presidency," Semjen said.

On the subject of energy, he said that Hungary supported the common EU energy policy "so that we would be as little exposed as possible." "We must get energy from as many sources as possible and at the same time connect the energy systems," he added.

Semjen would not comment on the Hungarian oil and gas group MOL's offer to purchase the shares of small shareholders in the Croatian oil and gas company INA, saying it was not his area of expertise.

Bebic and Semjen agreed during their meeting that it was important to preserve the diversity of countries in a large community such as the EU.

During his official visit, Bebic also met with his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Koever, President Pal Schmitt, and representatives of the Croatian minority.