The Croatian Parliament held a formal session on Thursday to mark Independence Day, remembering 8 October 1991 when Croatia severed all constitutional ties with Yugoslavia.
Addressing those present, Parliament Vice-President Vladimir Seks said that the 8 October 1991 decision paved the way for the democratic development of Croatia based on the separation of powers, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and freedoms and the rights of ethnic minorities.
Seks said that Parliament had passed necessary laws for combating corruption and organised crime, and that the government of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor was resolutely creating a framework for the effective functioning of relevant authorities in fighting corruption and organised crime. He added that President Ivo Josipovic was also making a substantial contribution to the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
Seks said that all three branches of government now faced the challenge of protecting the fundamental democratic principles and ridding Croatia of crime and corruption.
"With the joint efforts of all branches of government and the powers of the President of the Republic there is hope that Croatia will rid itself of and uproot corruption," Seks said. "The struggle for the rule of law is as important as the struggle for social justice and a welfare state," he added.
Seks, who chaired the 8 October 1991 meeting of Parliament when the historic decision was made to cut off all ties with the Yugoslav federation, said that the gaining of independence was possibly the most important event to the Croatian people and citizens of Croatia in the country's history.
Seks said that Croatia had had to defend its independence and that thousands of Croats had been killed in the war of liberation.
He paid tribute to all the Croatian soldiers and civilians killed in the war, as well as to the MPs who 19 years ago nearly unanimously supported the declaration of independence, and to the state leadership headed by the first President of Croatia, Franjo Tudjman.
Today's session was attended by senior state officials, including President Ivo Josipovic, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Parliament President Luka Bebic, former President Stjepan Mesic, government ministers, MPs, and representatives of the judiciary, religious communities and the diplomatic corps.
The session was opened by Parliament President Luka Bebic.
