Seks recalled that this was the fourth intervention into the Constitution since its promulgation in 1990 and that the latest amendments would wrap up the accomplishment of all strategic objectives of Croatia's state policy.
He said that the latest changes were also important for the adjustment of Croatia's legislation to the European Union standards and for defining the role of Croatia as a NATO member-state as well as for improving the quality of the lives of Croatian citizens.
According to Seks, later in the day the Committee on the Constitution will formulate its position on the latest proposals from the Opposition and six amendments proposed by the Government to the bill.
Addressing the parliament, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor urged lawmakers to vote for the bill and thus render the process of Croatia's accession to the EU easier.
"It is important that we are close to finishing a big job. The (accession) negotiations are proceeding well and are on a desirable course. By the end of this month we will have opened the remaining three negotiating chapters and I expect the closing of a significant number of the chapters during the Spanish EU presidency," she said adding that the removal of obstacles had encouraged the country to finish the remaining work on time.
Explaining the government's amendments, Kosor said her cabinet moved the incorporation into the Constitution a formulation about the victory of the Croatian soldiers in a just, legitimate and liberation Homeland War in accordance with the parliament's declaration on the matter.
The premier dismissed the interpretation by Goran Beus Richembergh of the Croatian People's Party (HNS) that all had defended Croatia in the war "including soldiers, workers and pensioners",
"Croatian soldiers were citizens of Croatia, but not all citizens defended the homeland. Not all of them had courage, wisdom and resoluteness to stand up to defend the country, and this is a historical fact," Kosor said.