Mesic arrived in Lavov, the cultural center of central west Ukraine, on the second and last day of his official visit to Ukraine.
Speaking about the development of Croatia's foreign policy and its current state of affairs, Mesic said that his foreign policy was based on three pillars: regional, European, and global policy.
He said that since establishment of the independent state until the 2000 elections Croatia's foreign policy was focused on placing Croatia into Europe or in other words on the escape from the region and the presentation of Croatia - less in the world and more in the eyes of its own public - as a regional force.
According to Mesic, apart from the struggle for international recognition, the other two priorities of the then Croatian foreign policy were a failure.
"Croatia's escape from the region (...) was the reflection of a xenophobic aspiration to discontinue all ties with Serbia which at the time openly supported the rebellion of a part of the Serb population in Croatia. This Croat-centric policy was neither pro-European not pro-Croatian, it was primarily anti-Serbian," Said Mesic adding that this was understandable given the then situation.
He said that since 2000 Croatia had been working on the transformation of the region into the area of peace, stability and security.
"Our objectives are joining Euro-Atlantic associations, the European Union and NATO. We cannot afford the luxury of staying out of the European Union, nor can the Union afford the luxury of not including us into its ranks. When I say "us", I mean the Southeast of Europe and the pace of joining will depend on individual achievements," Mesic said.
He expressed hope that Ukraine also saw its future in a united Europe.