"Ivica Racan was Croatia's Prime Minister in a demanding period from 2000 to the end of 2003. He influenced changes and the strengthening of Croatia's international position and helped the country embark on the road to Europe," reads a statement issued by the Government's public relations office.
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader sent telegrams of condolence to Racan's family. He talked with Social Democratic Party acting president Zeljka Antunovic and conveyed his condolences to the SDP party.
A book of condolence on the occasion of the former Prime Minister's death will be opened in the Government's headquarters in Zagreb as of Monday, 30 April,
Addressing reporters in front of a church in Zagreb on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Sanader said that he was sorry to hear about Racan's death.
"On behalf of the government and on my own behalf, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and SDP members as well as pay respect to the personality of Ivica Racan and his work, primarily because he has been one of the protagonists of Croatian history for the last two decades," Sanader told reporters.
"He and I were political rivals and political opponents and we disagreed on many things, we had different opinions. However, at this moment this is not important. I would like to point out the human aspect. I am sorry that he suffered and that this dangerous disease has won. I am sorry that this was the outcome," Sanader said.
Sanader wanted to point out what he said was the most important aspect in their relations.
During our rivalry and political match we were able to reach an understanding and overcome the differences of our political parties whenever it came to national interests. We jointly created the Alliance for Europe as we knew that Croatia's future lay in the European Union and transnational integration processes, said the incumbent Croatian premier and the leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
According to him, this was so in order to ensure Croatia's international position and better living standards for Croatian citizens.
In such situations we overcame the parties' differences, and on this sad occasion I would like to pay respects to him for his contribution in this regard, Sanader said.
Sanader praised Racan for his role when he, together with Slovene deputies, walked out of the 1990 Communist Congress in Belgrade which preceded the disintegration of the then Yugoslavia.
Racan was one of those who ensured the organisation of free elections in Croatia in April 1991, Sanader said, describing Racan as one of the most prominent Croatian politicians.
During the years he was in the Opposition, Ivica Racan showed patience and demonstrated the resoluteness to transform the Communist legacy of his party into Social Democratic characteristic. In his capacity as Prime Minister, Racan made several crucial moves to bring Croatia closer to the EU, Sanader said.