Council President Herman Van Rompuy said Croatia would become a full EU member in two days' time.
In his address to PM Milanovic, who was attending the summit as an observer for the last time, Van Rompuy said that Croatians had always been Europeans and now they would become a full member of the European Union.
Your admission now, when your neighbours are taking brave steps on the same path after the recent war past, reminds us all of the basic purpose of Europe: to live together in prosperity and peace, the Council President said.
Croatia's admission is the seventh round of EU enlargement which was the reason for Van Rompuy to comment on the number seven as a lucky number both for Europe and Croatia.
PM Milanovic thanked Van Rompuy for the lovely welcome message and promised Croatia's assistance to its neighbours on their EU-bound journey.