"Croatia has excellent results in many areas. And this is part of our truth about ourselves," Seks said, claiming that economic indicators reflect a growth of GDP and industrial output, a reduction of the national deficit and unemployment, and increased competitiveness on the global market.
Seks said the international community and the European Union had recognised in Croatia a credible and reliable partner which had achieved high democratic and security standards, with positive and encouraging economic trends.
Today's session marked the 15th anniversary of a decision to sever state and legal ties with the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Seks said the decision the Sabor made on 8 October 1991 was "a response to the policy of force whose goal was to break up Croatia into pieces".
He recalled that the day before the decision was made, Yugoslav Army planes attacked the government and parliament headquarters in downtown Zagreb, which he said was followed by the defensive and liberating Homeland War in which the Croatian people achieved a big victory, "aspiring for independence and freedom".
Seks said the commitments on the 15th anniversary of the decision on independence were different, but the first and main goal remained the same -- to develop and strengthen Croatia as a country of mature democracy, rule of law, social harmony and responsibility.
"This Croatia wants to continue with reforms, to change many old habits, adopt new values and standards," said Seks.
He underlined that Croatia was continuing to draw closer to the European Union, that the launching of accession negotiations a year ago was the most significant decision for Croatia since the one on independence, and that in its bid to join the EU Croatia was determined to seek its own path, without ties to others negotiating accession.
Another strategic goal is NATO membership because it represents a guarantee of lasting stability and the best framework for one's own engagement in the preservation and promotion of regional, European and international security, said Seks.
He added that Croatia expected a strong and clear signal for forthcoming membership at the alliance's summit in Riga in November.
Attending the session were deputies, former parliament speakers, President Stjepan Mesic, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, ministers, representatives of the judiciary, the academic community, all religious communities, the diplomatic corps, the Armed Forces, Homeland War associations, unions, county prefects, and other public figures.
Earlier today, Mesic, Seks, Sanader and their delegations laid wreaths and lit candles at the central cross in Homeland War Veterans Lane at Mirogoj cemetery.
Seks, Sanader and their delegations also laid wreaths and lit candles at first President Franjo Tudjman's grave.
Deputy PM Damir Polancec and a delegation laid a wreath at the Altar of the Homeland.
Wreaths were laid and candles lit at Mirogoj also by delegations of the defence and war veterans' ministries, the City of Zagreb, Homeland War associations, the ruling Croatian Democratic Union party, and the Armed Forces.