In attendance were also Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, government ministers as well as military and police representatives.
Congratulating all Croatian citizens on Statehood Day, Mesic recalled that on 25 June 1991 parliament passed a declaration on the proclamation of sovereign and independent Croatia.
That was one of the most important dates in Croatian history and this year we are celebrating it alongside the 15th anniversary of Croatia's international recognition and admission to the UN, said Mesic.
He thanked everyone who took part in the reconstruction of independent Croatia, in its defence and liberation, and everyone who advocated the establishment and promotion of democracy or contributed to the development of Croatia in any way.
"This Statehood Day is observed in the year in which we have successfully continued negotiations on our future membership of the European Union. Keeping sight of the Croatian people's participation in Europe's general history, our strategic decision to apply for future membership of the EU is an expression of our lasting belonging to contemporary political and historical circumstances," said Mesic.
He underlined that the EU was not a goal in itself, but a means to achieve greater security, stability and development. To achieve those goals, Croatia must have creative and brave visions of development and be united in protecting the cultural and natural heritage and its citizens' life interests, he said.
Mesic voiced confidence that the efforts both sides invested in accession negotiations would result in EU membership within the desired time frame.
He went on to say that the other international objective was NATO membership, primarily for military and security reasons given the threat of global terror and the not entirely stable situation, in terms of politics and security, in some parts of Southeast Europe.
Accession to NATO will contribute to a swift modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces and to cutting some military costs, Mesic said, adding that by joining NATO Croatia would join all those whose task was to protect democracy, peace, human rights and the rule of law.
Croatia's foreign policy primarily refers to cooperation with neighbours and all states in Southeast Europe, he said, adding that Croatia wanted to develop partner relations with all other countries.
Speaking of Croatia's economic development, the president said that bodies of state authority were expected to be more active in restructuring the economy according to our possibilities, needs and comparative advantages.
He advocated the creation of conditions for higher employment and GDP growth, saying this would increase living standards and facilitate the state's social policy, which is costly not only because of the consequences of the 1990s war but also because of crimes in ownership transformation and poor demographic trends.
The president underlined the importance of reconstruction and welfare state development, not an easy task in times of economic globalisation. Poverty must no longer be allowed as economic growth has a moral and humane dimension as well, he said.
"If man is the main source of material and spiritual assets and spiritual development, one must work on making honest work desirable, appreciated and justly rewarded. On the other hand, organised crime and corruption, or to put in simpler terms, plunder in the presence of the authorities, must be eradicated. We have made the first, but important, steps towards that goal and I am confident that we shall succeed."
He voiced hope that parliamentary elections later this year would once again show Croatia's democratic maturity and testify to the responsibility of political parties as well as all citizens in the building of a stable and developed Croatia.