European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who were the hosts of the ceremony of signing of the Accession Treaty with Croatia in Brussels on Friday, congratulated Croatia on its great accomplishment.
"Today is a historic day for Croatia and for the European Union," the European Council president said in his speech before leaders of EU member states and Croatia who gathered for today's ceremony. Croatia was represented by President Ivo Josipovic and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.
"Croatia is set to become the 28th member of the EU," Van Rompuy said.
He added that Croatia's accomplishment showed all other countries in the region that hard work and perseverance cleared the way for EU membership.
Croatia has shown that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the EU, he added.
This is not the end of the process. Croatia now begins working as an observer, starting with its presence at today's session of the European Council, he added.
Donald Tusk, the PM of Poland which is holding the EU's rotating presidency, expressed a sincere welcome to Croatia in the European family.
Croatia has shown resolve, ability, courage and a high level of competence, the Polish PM said, adding that Croatia's path to the EU was more difficult than the paths of other members.
