"May we continue this year to walk on the path which we embarked on when we committed ourselves to the independent Croatia which belongs to the family of developed European countries," Sanader said in his address to ethnic Serb representatives, Serb Orthodox Church dignitaries, public figures and members of the diplomatic corps.
"I am confident that in 2004 we made a big step forward in mutual respect, tolerance, democratic standards, the culture of dialogue and the promotion of common European values with the assistance of your deputies and deputies of other national minorities and other political parties in the Croatian parliament," the PM added.
He highlighted reconciliation, coexistence, and mutual understanding between Catholic and Orthodox believers as the values on which Croatia was based and which should be further fostered.
"I am in favour of organising Croatia as a country in which all citizens will feel well and in which they will be able to achieve all of their goals," Sanader said, pointing to the importance of diversity.
He also recalled that Croatia should soon start entry talks with the European Union and that he believed in the success of the negotiations.
The SNV President Milorad Pupovac, said he was happy to see that they had gathered at this year's Christmas Eve reception with more courage, greater expectations and greater results than in previous years.
"In 2004 we achieved a lot on the road towards the European Union, the road which is of the same importance both for Croatia and its citizens of Serb origin. What is more important is the fact that since last year's Christmas Eve gathering, when the PM gave an important message, inter-ethnic relations in Croatia have irreversibly assumed a dimension which can be considered normal and civilised," Pupovac said.
Division caused by the war has been bridged, the Serb official said.