Grabar-Kitarovic said the Croatian government was determined to meet all of its international commitments, also in accordance with its constitutional law on the rights of ethnic minorities.
She said that in line with the Sarajevo Declaration, the Croatian government intended to complete by the end of 2006 the majority of the property restitution process, enabling everyone entitled or willing to return to prewar homes to do so, and thus close all issues stemming from the 1990s war.
The minister said the government would also settle issues from the mandate of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Croatia, and simultaneously meet all criteria for membership of European and Euro-Atlantic institutions and other organisations.
Grabar-Kitarovic said the ultimate goal was the wellbeing of Croatia's citizens and the settlement of all national issues, including the balanced development of all parts of the country, in order to present Croatia as a country which settled its own problems and was involved in the settlement of issues in its neighbourhood.
The minister said Croatia did not see its future membership of the European Union and NATO as an escape from the region, but as assuming a new level of responsibility in view of achieving lasting peace and stability in Southeast Europe. She voiced hope that Croatia's progress represented a significant encouragement to reform in the other countries of the region as well.
Grabar-Kitarovic said Croatia would continue to be active in Southeast Europe, promoting the strengthening of stability in a region which she added had to a great extent transformed itself from a zone of conflict into one of cooperation.
The minister underlined that Croatia had made progress in all areas, in some such that the OSCE Mission involvement would no longer be needed.
She announced the return of refugees by the end of 2006, the adjustment of laws, notably election legislation, and the further exercise of ethnic communities' rights regarding participation in bodies of local self-government.
Other participants, including representatives of the EU and the United States, commended Croatia's efforts and achievements, and pointed to the need to successfully resolve remaining issues such as refugee return and judicial reform.