According to the statement, the Croatian government closely followed the holding of the referendum, assessing it as the most significant moment in Montenegro's recent history. It said the results confirmed the commitment of Montenegro's citizens to independence and were a positive basis for the completion of the process of gaining independence.
At the same time, the referendum affirmed Montenegro as a mature, stable, democratic and Europe-oriented society, which the statement said was of paramount importance for the future participation of all citizens in the building of an independent state and for Montenegro's positive contribution to regional stability and cooperation.
The Croatian government voiced confidence that Montenegro's independence will contribute to the further strengthening of peace, stability and cooperation among the peoples and states of Southeast Europe.
The government assessed that the referendum, based on Montenegro's legitimate right, was carried out in accordance with agreements with the European Union, in a transparent and fair fashion, that its results were in accordance with the adopted criteria and that they called for the further political and social consolidation of Montenegro, in the interest of all of its citizens.
The Croatian government assessed that the European Union, in previous processes and in preparations for the referendum, played an exceptionally positive and constructive part, affirming its important and irreplaceable role in the permanent stabilisation of Europe's southeast and in the opening of prospects of cooperation and good-neighbourliness based on European standards and principles.
The Croatian government confirmed its readiness and interest in developing with Montenegro good-neighbourly relations, cooperation, equality, mutual acknowledgement and jointly contributing to permanent peace and cooperation in this part of Europe.
It said that Croatia-Montenegro relations should overcome the grave consequences of recent history, and in this sense the Croatian government welcomed the apology the Montenegrin prime minister had extended to Croatia.
The Croatian government assessed that political developments in Southeast Europe following the Montenegrin referendum also opened Serbia's prospect of permanently arranging good-neighbourly relations and cooperation with all states and peoples in this part of Europe, of consolidating its own social and economic situation and development, and of securing an important place and role for itself in this region as well as its integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions.
The Croatian government also assessed that the referendum in Montenegro confirmed that the Euro-Atlantic idea and prospect of full EU membership were an irreplaceable framework for settling outstanding issues and, at the same time, the safest incentive and guarantee for ensuring democratic standards, cooperation, lasting peace and development in Southeast Europe.