When I think about the 15 years of Croatia's independence I am impressed with progress the country has made since the break-up of Yugoslavia until today when it is on the threshold of the European Union, Karamanlis said after talks with Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.
Croatia is the leader among all western Balkan countries in the process of integrating with European associations, the Greek PM said. Greece is always on Croatia's side and it is significantly helping Croatia on that path, he added.
Saying that Karamanlis's visit to Croatia, that coincided with the 15th anniversary of Croatia's international recognition, was a sign of Greece's friendship and support, Sanader thanked the Greek PM on his country's firm support to Croatia's joining the EU and NATO.
Sanader said that the decision by the Karamanlis cabinet to support Croatia's nonpermanent membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2008 was a present to Croatia for the independence anniversary.
The two prime ministers said that bilateral relations were excellent, but that there was room for improvement in economic ties.
Sanader's return visit to Athens, to take place in the first half of this year, should help advance economic cooperation, given that a Croatian-Greek business forum is also scheduled to take place on that occasion.
Sanader and Karamanlis also agreed that the two countries should cooperate through regional organisations, such as the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP), currently chaired by Croatia that took over the presidency of the organisation from Athens in May 2006.
The Greek PM was also received by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic. Mesic and Karamanlis stressed good bilateral cooperation and agreed that economic relations must be advanced, the Office of the Croatian President said in a statement.
Mesic thanked Karamanlis on his country's support to Croatia's bid to join Euro-Atlantic associations and stressed that Croatia and Greece as Mediterranean countries have many possibilities for better cooperation.
He underlined the importance of air and sea connections between the two countries and the construction of the Adriatic-Ionian highway.
Karamalis agreed, saying that Greece fully supported the construction of the highway, adding however, it was necessary to find a cost-efficient financing model, the statement said.
The Greek PM reiterated his country's backing to Croatia's bid to join the European Union and NATO, as well as EU enlargement to all countries in the region, stressing that the enlargement process was a guarantee of stability.
Karamanlis also extended best wishes to Mesic on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Croatia's international recognition.
The statement also said that the two officials attached special attention to the process of defining a final status of Kosovo.