Several leading protagonists of world politics in the early 1990s and other eminent guests gathered in Primosten's Zora hotel today to celebrate the 75th birthday of the last Soviet president and thank Gorbachev on perestroika. The event was attended by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, former Romanian President Emil Constantinescu, former Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi, European Parliament Vice President Janus Onzsykiewicy and former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas.
The celebration of the birthday of one of the most influential politician of the 20th century started with a conference on the 20 years of perestroika and its influence on contemporary global policy.
Former US President George Bush Senior addressed the present via video link. Bush said Gorbachev was a hero of transition and a man whose will to change to world was magnificent.
Croatian President Mesic said Gorbachev would be remembered as a world's reformist, adding that the reforms the former Soviet president initiated were changing the world even today. Mesic said Gorbachev's reforms helped that the Soviet Union be erased form the world's political map.
Remembering his meeting with Gorbachev in 1985, Dumas said the former Soviet leader explained the meaning of perestroika to him. He added that the then French President Francois Mitterand said after meeting the Sovient president "We have a great man for the future". Dumas also said perestroika achievements could be compared to those of the French revolution.
On behalf of democratic forces in Romania, Constantinescu thanked Gorbachev for not interfering with democratic changes in his country in the 1990s.
Former Hungarian foreign minister Maronyi said Gorbachev was one of the few historical figures who made the world a better place. He said Hungary also owed Gorbachev for its place in Europe and the world of more peace, freedom and human rights.
European Parliament Vice President Onyszkiewicz said Gorbachev was the Columbus of the 20th century.
The celebration of Gorbachev's 75th birthday will end with a dinner and fireworks for some 200 guests.