Sanader pledged government support for the already initiated and planned projects, including continuation of the removal of mines from farmland and woods, and reconstruction of the public infrastructure.
Thanking the heads of the provincial governments of Tirol and South Tirol, Herwig van Staa and Luis Durnwalder, for donating 225,000 euros for the reconstruction of the community centre, the prime minister said that their friendship, readiness to help and faith in a common European future was more important than money.
Sanader reiterated that Croatia was making every effort to meet the European membership criteria and noted that Croatia had already embraced European values.
As a sign of gratitude, Sanader presented van Staa with a high state decoration for his efforts in the promotion of cooperation between Tirol and Croatia. The decoration was awarded by President Stjepan Mesic.
Van Staa said he highly appreciated the determination and enthusiasm with which the people of Pakrac were rebuilding their war-damaged town.
"The European Union needs Croatia and Croatia needs the European Union," van Staa said, adding that Croatia was in every respect a part of Europe.
Durnwalder said that Italy and Croatia were linked by a common history and expressed hope that Croatia would soon join the European Union.