The Trieste-based Piccolo daily of Tuesday cited Ciampi's message, using as the headline his call to abandon nationalism.
In the European Union, Italy and Croatia will also be able to cooperate efficiently in strengthening democracy and stability in the Balkans based on the absolute rejection of nationalism. These conditions are necessary for regional development and Croatia's speedy integration with the EU, Ciampi said.
The Italian president pointed to historical ties between the two peoples, noting that those ties were also promoted through the presence of the autochthonous Italian minority in Croatia.
During Mesic's new mandate, Ciampi wishes to increase overall cooperation and make the Adriatic Sea the centre of that cooperation, improve infrastructure and increase trade, and cooperate in the protection of the environment and in culture and tourism.
The opening of the Croatia-EU talks in March will open new prospects in the establishment and strengthening of a real partnership between the two countries, Ciampi said in the message.