"In a year when Croatia is marking the 15th anniversary of numerous and significant events from its recent history, one of the crucial was 19 May 1991, when Croatian citizens opted for a sovereign and independent Croatia," said Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks.
That "was a truly historic day, a fateful moment of expression of the democratic will of the Croatian people and all citizens of Croatia," Seks underlined.
He recalled that the Croatian parliament made the people's wish for an independent and sovereign state legal on 25 June 1991 by adopting the Constitutional Decision on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Croatia and finally, on 8 October 1991, a decision whereby Croatia severed the ties based on which it and five other republics made up the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The decision to call a referendum was made by Croatia's first president, the late Franjo Tudjman, and the turnout was outstanding, with more than 93 per cent voting for a sovereign and independent Croatia, said Seks.
He added that by voting for independence, the Croatian people took a big democratic leap and showed that they were determined in their demand for ensuring Croatia's freedom, democracy, sovereignty and independence.
Seks recalled that the Serbian aggression, launched before the referendum, resumed even more fiercely after it, resulting in numerous victims and extensive damage. He said the aggressors failed to achieve their monstrous goals thanks to the courage of the Croatian people, notably the war veterans.
Seks went on to say that Croatia was committed to the policy of peace and cooperation, and good relations with neighbours and all peoples in the world. He also highlighted Croatia's aspiration to become a full and equal member of the European family. "The Croatian people expressed that aspiration in their own way also at the referendum," he said.
The reception in parliament was attended by eminent figures from politics, the economy, religion, and culture.