"That's good news. But it must not cause euphoria because there's a lot of work ahead of us which we have to complete and ensure a better future for our citizens," Mesic said on Croatian Radio.
Before the radio's correspondent from Luxembourg called the show with news of del Ponte's assessment, Mesic said Croatia would certainly start entry negotiations with the EU, but added there was no need to fuss over the date when they would be launched.
"Things are developing to our benefit. Croatia will start the negotiations and then we will all have to work hard."
Mesic said Croatia would experience numerous benefits as soon as the negotiations were opened, the most important being the possibility to use several pre-accession funds.
"However, during the negotiations we must primarily see to the protection of our national and state interests," he said, adding that Croatia must not be sold out.
Mesic also spoke of last week's meeting with del Ponte, the last prior to her report to the EU task force evaluating Croatia's cooperation with the Hague tribunal in Luxembourg today. He said the talks were "backed with arguments and the best so far".
The president said there was no alternative to Croatia's pro-European policy and that becoming an EU member was in Croatia's interest. "Croatia's admission wouldn't only be a big jump among the countries of the region, but also an invitation to others to meet the conditions."
Mesic said Croatia had no reason to fear that in order to join the EU it would have to wait for the other countries in the region, because a lot of time had to pass between the signing of the association agreement and the actual negotiations.
Responding to a question from the show's host, Mesic said he did not expect an apology from Josip Jovic, a journalist wanted by the Hague tribunal for revealing that Mesic had been a protected witness in a hearing of the Tihomir Blaskic trial. He added this case would not affect Croatia's relations with the UN court.