On the occasion of Statehood Day, which is observed on June 25, President Ivo Josipovic, a parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Luka Bebic and a government delegation led by Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor on Saturday laid wreaths and lit candles at the mass grave at Ovcara farm in eastern Croatia on Saturday.
The state leaders also laid wreaths and lit candles at the memorial cemetery of Homeland War victims.
After that, Josipovic, Bebic and Kosor went to the military barracks in Vukovar to attend the graduation of military academy students.
Speaking to the press at Ovcara, Josipovic said that 20 years was a big and important anniversary for a country as young as Croatia.
"Croatia is not as it was. We are making progress and developing," he said, adding that he saw today's anniversary "also as a look back on everything that was good and bad, but also as a look to the future."
Kosor said these days were a time of pride for Croatia "when we must look forward with our heads held high."
"We have achieved the second big goal, the completion of (accession) negotiations with the European Union. Speaking on the government's behalf, I would like to repeat at Ovcara that we are dedicating this moment, the accomplishment of this all too important goal, to Croatian veterans," said Kosor.
