We must also look into the future and this future can hardly be imagined without this square and without Croatia as part of the European family and a EU member, said Degert who together with Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic cut a birthday cake in Zagreb's central
Ban Jelacic square.
"On this occasion when we're the candles on the birthday case, we should wish for Croatia to become the 28th member of the big European family," mayor Bandic said.
Bandic and Degert agreed that that in the 50 years of its existence, the European Union achieved peace, progress and democracy after centuries of wars and division.
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, that laid foundations for the modern European Union, will continue in Zagreb on Sunday.