Mesic thanked Malta for the assistance it had offered Croatia in the early 1990s when it was struggling to become an independent state and for its present support on Croatia's path to European Union membership.
Mesic said Malta exemplified a country that successfully concluded membership talks with the European Union while at the same it managed to preserve its identity and national interests during the negotiating process.
The Croatian president said he was pleased with the development of relations between the two countries, noting that there were still unused possibilities for enhancing them in the future.
Gonzi said his country would continue supporting Croatia on the road to EU membership, adding that it would be glad to offer any advice or assistance to help Croatia in ongoing talks with the EU.
Gonzi said he was pleased the Maltese president would make an official visit to Croatia in October.