Decorations were presented to film director Branko Ivanda, pianist and composer Ivo Koerbler, priest Ivoslav Linic, opera singer Dinko Lupi, ballet dancer Irena Pisaric, firefighter Ivan Simunovic, actor Josip Grenda, and academician Sinisa Triva.
Mesic said Croatia today was a stable country with developed democracy and good foundations for the development of science, art and public activities of an individual.
"Croatia needs Europe today and tomorrow and we need a new development cycle and the only way we can achieve this is to unite on the idea of democracy, the rule of law and human freedoms," Mesic said congratulating the decorated Croatian