Mesic said Croatia had come far in building its society and that this was recognised by Europe, notably the contribution to the peace and stability of the region.
Croatia is consistently implementing reforms which are introducing European standards in all segments of the political, economic and social life, but we are also aware of our contribution to the adoption of such standards in the entire region, Mesic said.
An address was also made by Vesna Pusic, president of the Croatian People's Party and vice president of the ELDR. Speaking to delegates of countries behind Croatia in drawing closer to the EU, she said the most important elements of building quality relations with Europe was reaching a general consensus, good and speedy negotiations, public support, and perseverance in building a good society for one's own sake, and not because the EU demanded it as prerequisite for membership.
Pusic said it was often forgotten that full political consensus among all political factors in a country was as necessary as a consensus between the state and citizens. She underlined the importance of the authorities communicating with the public about what the EU was before and after accession.
Pusic also highlighted the importance of good as well as swift negotiations, saying that the longer and less effective the accession process was, the stronger euroscepticism was.
When we start functioning according to European standards, and Croatia is close to that, then we shall officially become a member of the Union. That will not be a reward but a contribution to the common European future, said Pusic.
The second part of the conference will focus on the stabilisation of the region, Serbia and Kosovo's status.
Speaking to the press afterwards, President Mesic said it was important that the ELDR conference was taking place in Croatia because Europe's Liberals were a significant force in the European Parliament.
"Croatia's strategic goal is accession to the EU, so it is important that such immediate contacts take place so that we can present our view of what we have done and what still lies ahead," he said.
Asked by the press if the region's countries could join the EU and if Croatia could cooperate them without the repentance of those responsible for the war that had been imposed on Croatia, Mesic said Croatia's neighbours must primarily define their objectives but that it was logical that they should take their place in Europe once they met the necessary conditions.
"Rhetoric is not enough, as seen in Croatia's case, because we have already done a lot but are also continuing to do a lot," he said.
"This is also how I view our cooperation with our neighbours and given that it is known who started the war and who is the most responsible for it, we expect answers in the time ahead."
Mesic reiterated that Croatia demanded individualising guilt and real, and not rhetoric, sanctions against those responsible for or who committed the crimes, which he said was "the best repentance".