In his message to the President of the Republic, Bozanic said that news of the EU's decision to open accession talks with Croatia filled him with "joy and new hopes".
"We believe that by conducting the negotiations wisely and judiciously Croatia will preserve and protect its valuable and unique characteristics and enrich our shared European home with its own heritage that has been nurtured for centuries," the cardinal said.
"May this historic achievement also be to the benefit and wellbeing of all citizens of our beautiful homeland," Bozanic said in his message to the Prime Minister.