"In the Homeland War we created a new paradigm of Croatianhood which is why today we, representatives of the HDZ, say: 'The party is important to us, but the Croatian state and people are much more important," said Sanader, also the leader of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
He recalled that the government cared for the region of Slavonia, as evidenced by the significant projects under way -- the building of a highway on the Corridor Vc, the renovation of the Vinkovci-Tovarnik railway, and the building of a water-supply system for eastern Slavonia.
Sanader said the Pula-Karlovac gas pipeline would be inaugurated in the next few days, after which the government would start bringing gas to the regions of Lika in central Croatia and Dalmatia in the south. He added those projects would be completed by 2010.
The PM underlined that Croatia had to join the European Union as the future of Europe was Croatia's future. "Croatia's word will be heard in Washington, in Brussels and in every other important world and European city."
He congratulated the residents of Otok on their town's status as the youngest in Croatia, and thanked them for their loyalty to the HDZ, the party he said "made the Croatian people proud once again and put Croatia on the historical map of the world".
On behalf of the town, Mayor Josip Saric presented the PM with a gold coin engraved with Otok's coat of arms.