The united Europe, formed after the Second World War, got a new vision which almost completely became a reality at the start of this century, the Croatian president said in his speech.
Regardless of many fears, regardless of being tired of enlargement on the one side and of transition on the other, this process will not and must not be completed until all the states of southeastern Europe become its part, Mesic said.
This is the interest of Croatia, and not only of Croatia. This is also a policy which we support in the entire region and towards all European institutions, Mesic added.
He said among other things that the process of joining the European Union cannot be achieved by fighting for borders and expanding national territory but through cross-border cooperation, minority protection and the rule of law.
According to the Croatian president, in all areas that are still "outside the European house the dilemma between European processes and so-called national heroes and national myths is absolutely wrong, futile and unacceptable."
He recalled that collective hatred and fear facilitated the building of walls between peoples, while it was much more difficult to built trust among them.
Every country in southeastern Europe must commit itself to individualising the guilt for war crimes, Mesic said adding that he could see the significant role the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal played in this regard.
The Assembly of the WEU, established in 1955, is the oldest inter-parliamentary body dealing with European security and defence. The Assembly today pools over 400 parliamentary representatives from 37 countries, including European Union member states, NATO member countries from Europe, southeastern European countries and Ukraine.
Croatia's parliamentary delegation has the status of associate partner to the Assembly.