ZAGREB, Dec 30 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday gave a New Year's reception for representatives of legislative, executive and judicial authorities, the army, religious communities and the business
community.
ZAGREB, Dec 30 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday
gave a New Year's reception for representatives of legislative,
executive and judicial authorities, the army, religious communities
and the business community.#L#
Wishing the new parliament and government success in their work, Mesic
said the government was facing serious tasks, particularly with regard
to the country's integration into the European Union.
The government also faces the responsibility of creating conditions
for economic and social progress and cooperation with the UN war
crimes tribunal, as well as with neighbouring countries, Mesic said.
He voiced confidence that the government and parliament would be able
to perform those tasks.
As regards foreign policy, Croatia must continue harmonising its
political moves with the policy of the EU and promoting relations with
the United States, Mesic said.
He said that the appropriate organisation and implementation of recent
parliamentary elections and the establishment of the new government
proved that Croatia was capable of continuing the process of
democratisation and economic development and building the rule of law,
and called on all political forces and citizens to reach a consensus
on those issues.
Attending the reception, among others, were Prime Minister Ivo
Sanader, Parliament President Vladimir Seks, Supreme Court president
Ivica Crnic, the president of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, Zagreb
Archbishop Josip Bozanic, Serb Orthodox Church Metropolitan Jovan, the
head of the Islamic community, Sevko Omerbasic, and other guests.
(Hina) rml