Henault highlighted Croatia's leading role in the stabilisation of the region and the fact that with its engagement in the region and numerous international operations, it had become a country actively contributing to international security.
Mesic confirmed the significant results Croatia had achieved in consolidating democracy and reforming the defence sector, which he said enabled it to actively participate in peace-building missions worldwide. He underlined Croatia would continue to participate in stabilising the region.
Earlier today, after meeting the Croatian Army Chief Of Staff, General Josip Lucic, Henault said he was impressed by the progress in the Croatian military reform and assumed that Croatia would be given strong support for accession to NATO at its upcoming summit in Riga.
I am impressed by what I heard from your political and military leaders and the evident progress you have made in a short time, he said .
I assume Croatia's entry to NATO will be strongly supported at the summit in Riga, said Henault, who is also the NATO Secretary-General's military advisor.
He underlined that he would inform the NATO headquarters in Brussels of his positive impressions of the military reforms in Croatia and those still under way.
General Henault thanked Croatia for participating in the ISAF peace mission in Afghanistan and some dozen other UN missions worldwide as well as for the Croatian troops' contribution to NATO's efforts in Kosovo.
General Lucic said a visit by such a senior NATO official was important for the realisation of the strategic goal to join the Alliance because it was an opportunity to present Croatia's capabilities for membership.
Lucic said, among other things, that the Croatian military maintained excellent cooperation with the neighbours in the region.
Henault also met Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic.