Extending his best wishes for the Christmas and New Year's holidays, SNV president Milorad Pupovac said that this year the SNV was marking the 10th anniversary of its foundation and of the start of return of Serb refugees to their prewar homes in Croatia.
He noted that this was the first time representatives of the Serb refugees were attending an SNV Christmas reception.
Pupovac said that over the past ten years Serb returnees had been through great trials and tribulations, but that most of them had found peace and returned to their homes, which had been or would be rebuilt.
Pupovac underlined the importance of economic and social renewal and development of infrastructure in areas refugees were returning to and the need for the removal of the consequences of the 1991-1995 war.
Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said that a high level of inter-ethnic tolerance and understanding had been achieved over the last three years, which he added was not easy after years of military aggression and destruction.
"We will not forget history, but we will not live in it. We should not forget history so that we would avoid similar traps in the future," Sanader said.
The prime minister went on to say that the issue of tenancy rights had been resolved and that it would not be reopened.
Speaking of Croatia's path to the European Union, Sanader said that once Croatia joined the EU it would continue pushing for the admission of Serbia, Montenegro and Albania "so that we can build a Europe of peace and prosperity together."
Among those attending were the Croatian President's envoy, Sinisa Tatalovic, Parliament Deputy Speaker Vesna Pusic, and Social Democratic Party leader Ivica Racan.