"The original idea and practice of civil society associations is the better part of our democracy and I can state with pleasure that the civil society sector is socially recognised and legally regulated," President Mesic said.
He went on to say that the compact network of civil society organisations had brought about major changes in some areas, such as the protection of the rights of disabled persons, children, women and socially underprivileged groups, the return of refugees and displaced persons, the fight against corruption, and the advocacy of transparent political elections.
The key to the success and credibility of civil associations is remaining autonomous in relations with centres of political power, Mesic concluded.
Deputy PM Jadranka Kosor said that the Croatian government was constantly working to improve conditions for the functioning of civil society and promote the existing legal, financial and institutional system of support to its development and create a new one.
In July this year the government adopted a national strategy for the period until 2011 for the establishment of an environment encouraging the development of civil society, and civil society organisations gave a great contribution to its adoption, Kosor said.
There are 30,345 associations in Croatia and they are funded from the budget and revenue from games of chance. In 2004, 111 million kuna was granted for their programmes and projects, and in 2005 the funds amounted to 136 million, Kosor said.
B.a.B.e coordinator Sarnavka said that without civil society organisations Croatia would not have gone through processes that made it one of the free and open countries with the highest democratic standards.
A survey shows that more than three million people have been given a service from the civil sector, Sarnavka said, adding that civil society organisations were active in the anti-corruption campaign, prevention of violence against women, election campaigns, and environmental projects.
US Ambassador Robert Bradtke said that he was pleased to participate in the conference that presented a survey confirming the importance of civil society organisations in motivating citizens to participate in processes and initiatives that were important for the development of democracy.
Since 1993 the USA has provided USD12 million for democratisation programmes in Croatia, Bradtke said.
The partnership between the government and NGOs is not easy, but we are aware that together we can affect important social changes and development, Bradtke said, adding that the presence at the conference of President Mesic and Deputy PM Kosor confirmed that important results had been achieved in cooperation between the public and nonprofit sectors in Croatia.