"This task force should provide solutions as to how to activate the economy and open new jobs. Croatia must define an economic development strategy in order to be as successful as possible in the European Union accession negotiations."
Evaluating the presidential election, Mesic said he was satisfied with the education of Croatian voters and proud of the maturity of Croatia's democracy. "They expressed their will and did not allow themselves to be misled by the votes in Herzegovina."
Mesic said the parties which backed him during the campaign would profit politically from his victory.
Asked about sharing authority with the Ivo Sanader Cabinet, Mesic said his statement that he "will breathe down the Government's neck" meant that he would help it when there was a problem and not make it worse.
Mesic said he asked the Government to extend the deadline for the sanctioning of wrongdoing in the privatisation and ownership transformation process so the statute of limitations could not apply.
Answering a question about his cooperation with Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic, Mesic said it was necessary to establish who was responsible for the recent purchase of military equipment. He added he could not relieve Roncevic of duty but could suspend him.
"Roncevic's apology means nothing to me," Mesic said, adding the "office of defence minister is too difficult for Roncevic," that he expected Roncevic to resign and Sanader to decide about the resignation.
Commenting on transcripts of his testimony before the Hague war crimes tribunal which had appeared in the election headquarters of his opponent, Jadranka Kosor of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, Mesic said the Government was hypocritical with regard to cooperation with the UN court.
Asked if there were grounds to press criminal charges over the appearance of the transcripts, Mesic said that was up to institutions, while he could only point to suspicion.
Commenting on the implementation of the presidential election, he said it was imperative to change electoral legislation, introduce a financial census and raise the number of citizens' signatures a candidate needed to be able to run in the election.
As for the Druzba Adria oil transport project, which is opposed by numerous associations and part of the public, Mesic said the public should have a say about the project after the publication of a study on its impact on the environment, but added he felt the final decision would be political.