Addressing a ceremony in Brussels on Friday at which Croatia's Treaty of Accession to the EU was signed, President Ivo Josipovic said the ceremony was a historic event whose importance was right after that of the Croatian parliament's decision to declare the country's independence.
"We are witnessing a historic event, the signing of the Accession Treaty is an event which in terms of its importance for Croatian citizens comes right after the parliament's decision on Croatia's independence," Josipovic said at the signing ceremony after addresses were made by the hosts of the ceremony - European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and Prime Minister Donald Tusk of the EU's current president Poland - and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek.
"After 20 years, modern Croatia has returned to the political and cultural space to which it belongs," Josipovic said.
The Croatian president said he was honoured to be representing Croatian citizens, but that he also felt deep humility, respect and gratitude because Croatia was the first new EU member that had to overcome the difficult legacy of war.
"With Europe, Croatia is richer, and with Croatia, Europe, too, is richer," Josipovic said, stressing that Croatia was not giving its hard-won sovereignty over to the EU but was investing a part of it into the EU.
The accession process in Croatia is not over yet, we will persevere in reforms and in the full implementation of European law, Josipovic said, adding that Croatia's new government can and must continue with the reforms with new enthusiasm.
