The statements were made public simultaneously in Rome and Zagreb. Following is the statement of the office of the Croatian president:
"Croatia has taken note of the explanations given at the talks at the Italian Foreign Ministry on February 13 between Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema and Croatian Ambassador Tomislav Vidosevic."
The explanations were accepted with understanding and they have contributed to overcoming misunderstandings caused by the speech made by the Italian president. President Napolitano's words were in no way intended to cause a controversy regarding Croatia, nor to question the 1947 peace treaties or the Osimo and Rome Accords, nor were they inspired by revenge-seeking or historical revisionism, the statement said.
"President Mesic believes that the explanations confirm the essential basis for the further development of friendly and mutually useful relations between the two countries. President Mesic has recalled his wish, expressed on several occasions, for a Croatian-Italian meeting at the highest level," the statement said.