At a summit of the South Eastern Europe Cooperation Process, he took over from Greece the one-year presidency of this association of 10 regional countries which aims at strengthening mutual relations and cooperation in Euro-Atlantic integration.
Presenting the plan of Croatia's presidency to the 10 countries' presidents and prime ministers, Sanader announced that Zagreb would continue on the path taken by Athens, which chaired the SEECP the past two years.
Sanader said this included operative strengthening of the association, ties with European Union institutions, and encouragement of overall cooperation so as to rise above historical conflicts and establish peace, security and progress in Southeast Europe.
The plan of Croatia's presidency also includes mutual assistance in Euro-Atlantic integration among SEECP members, of which some are full EU members, some are undergoing the screening process or have accession candidate status, and some are just starting negotiations on stabilisation and association with Brussels.
We share the traits of Central and Southeast Europe, said Sanader. We combine the Adriatic, Aegean and Black Sea dimension. We are connected by large European rivers and we are at the crossroads of cultural diversity. These are potentials we have to use for the benefit of united Europe and for a better future for our citizens, he added.
The main messages and joint statements from the Thessaloniki summit were commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration, respect for the individual principle of joining the EU, and strengthening of overall cooperation.
Participants underlined that each country's progress towards EU membership depended on individual achievements in the meeting of the Copenhagen criteria and conditions envisaged by the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, including cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
Participants advocated modernising the Central European Free Trade Agreement so as to establish a free trade zone in Southeast Europe, and condemned terrorism, violence, and every form of extremism.
The ninth SEECP summit will also be remembered for Moldova's becoming the association's tenth member.
Participants also signed a memorandum on the establishment of a high performance rail network in Southeast Europe.
The next SEECP summit will be held in Croatia next year.