Staks said Croatian-German relations were characterised by friendship, trust, and numerous common experiences, especially at the time when Croatia was gaining its independence in the early 1990s.
Stating that Mesic's numerous visits influenced the course of events in Germany, Staks recalled that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder visited Zagreb in September 2003 and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in June 2004.
The German ambassador said that by obtaining European Union candidate status, Croatia proved to itself as well as the entire region that political and economic transformation paid off. He added he would do everything to nurture the excellent relations between Germany and Croatia and to support Croatia in joining the Union.
President Mesic said relations with Germany had always been special for Croatia, recalling the positive reaction among Croatia's population when Germany expressed willingness to support Croatia achieve independence and was among the first to recognise its sovereignty.
Mesic thanked Germany for the long-standing assistance to Croatia's society, saying Croatia now had to meet its strategic objectives of joining the EU and NATO.
He said Croatia wished to complete the process of approximation of its legislation with European standards and make sure that the principles of democracy and rule of law become part of Croatia's foundations.
Mesic voiced confidence cooperation with Germany would continue to be good, especially in Croatia's integration into the EU and NATO.
Prior to Saks, Mesic received incoming Thai Ambassador Piyarat. Mesic said that although geographically distant, Croatia and Thailand had been successfully cooperating for years and increasingly getting to know each other better.
Mesic urged intensifying economic relations, saying Croatia wanted Thailand, and through it the ASEAN market, to become attractive for Croatian companies.
He voiced hope Thailand would support Croatia's candidacy for nonpermanent membership of the U.N. Security Council.
Recalling that Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Croatia in 1999 and Mesic Thailand in February 2002, Ambassador Piyarat voiced hope there would be more senior visits between the two countries in the future.
Mesic took the opportunity to invite German President Horst Koehler and Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej to visit Croatia.