"The most important thing to us is that the (European Commission's progress) report is favourable, actually it is the most favourable yet. We, of course, are aware that there are things that we need to complete and I am certain that Croatia is making good progress. Statements that can be heard from some politicians in Germany and Austria, who suspect that Croatia might fail to meet the requirements, are, I would say, first and foremost signs of warning that we should do what we ourselves know that we must do", Josipovic told reporters in his office.

The President was commenting on statements by several German and Austrian politicians, including that by the Speaker of the Bundestag, Norbert Lammert, that Croatia was not yet ready to become a member of the European Union.

Josipovic noted that Croatia had enjoyed great support from Germany and Austria from the very start of the accession process, which is why he said he believed that these were not expressions of mistrust in Croatia but motivational statements.