Mesic recalled the interwoven historical and cultural ties between the Croatian and Czech peoples. He underlined the importance of national minorities, saying that in the united Europe they were bridges connecting all peoples and their diversity.
"The Czech national minority is a bridge of cooperation with the Czech Republic as well as with Europe because the Czech Republic has achieved its strategic goal which Croatia, I hope, will achieve too," said Mesic.
"Europe's Southeast too wants to go towards the European model, in which Croatia wishes to lead the way," he said, adding that the Croatian minority in other countries was also a bridge of cooperation.
Ceska Beseda president Tomek Adolf recalled the history of Czechs in Croatia, and thanked Mesic for attending today's event.
"We are proud to have in our new homeland a president who is compared to former Czech President Vaclav Havel, who was a towering figure of morality, justice and humanism," said Adolf.
In attendance were the Czech Ambassador to Croatia, Petr Burjanek, and the member of parliament representing the Czech and Slovak minorities, Zdenka Cunhill, among others.