(BRUSSELS) - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic vowed Tuesday that the Balkans state would become the 28th member of the European Union in 2010 as its accession talks pick up pace.

In discussions with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, Jandrokovic said that he "especially emphasised Croatia's readiness to do whatever it takes to meet the criteria for full membership and to become a member of the EU in 2010."

He told reporters that Zagreb expected to open up by the end of June seven of the 35 policy areas or chapters that candidates must complete to join, which would leave around a dozen still unopened.

Croatia started talks on joining the EU in 2005 at the same time as Turkey, whose path to entry has been littered with obstacles.

"There is a renewed dynamism in the EU accession process of Croatia," agreed Rehn, whose commission handles enlargement issues on behalf of the 27 EU nations.

"I share the goals ... with regards to opening several chapters in coming weeks and months," he said, but noted: "If Croatia is able to meet the benchmarks."

He said Zagreb had "plenty of work ahead, for instance on judicial and public administration reform and in the fight against corruption."

Rehn also underlined that difficult negotiating chapters lay ahead, such as those on competition policy and public procurement, which deal mainly with the better spending of taxpayers' money.

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