Mesic arrived in Macedonia on Tuesday for a two-day official visit. After the welcome ceremony, Mesic and Crvenkovski held official talks and signed a joint statement on the two countries' strategic objectives and cooperation. The Croatian head of state then addressed deputies in the Macedonian parliament where he confirmed the two countries' good relations.
"The talks were open and focused on issues important to both countries and on cooperation," the two presidents said. They agreed that the two countries needed to exploit cooperation potentials, notably on the economic front, joint investments and promotion of trade relations.
Crvenkovski stressed he and Mesic had the same position on the definition of Kosovo's future status, as well as the same objectives regarding membership of NATO and the European Union.
Mesic underlined that the talks also focused on the role of Croats in Macedonia and of Macedonians in Croatia. He added that agreement was reached that Croats in Macedonia be given national minority status, which Macedonians in Croatia already have, without making amendments to the Constitution.
Both presidents said the talks were important not only for bilateral relations, but also for the atmosphere in the region and for establishing new relations in this part of Europe based on the peaceful settlement of problems and on European standards.
The Croatian head of state said a lot needed to be done to heal the wounds in the region and make the region truly stable, democratic and prosperous.
The joint statement, initialled after the talks, includes the two countries' strategic objectives in foreign policy, primarily admission to European and Euro-Atlantic associations, peace, stability and progress.
Bilateral relations will be built on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit, as well as on European standards and criteria. On the path to Euro-Atlantic associations, the two countries will assist one another and continue to exchange experience.
The two countries stressed they would develop good relations with all neighbouring states on the principles of democracy and the rule of law an in the interest of stability and prosperity in the entire region.
The two heads of state also agreed it was necessary to initiate the signing of an agreement on the mutual protection of the Croat and the Macedonian minorities.
Addressing deputies in the Sobranje, Mesic said his visit to Macedonia confirmed the traditionally good relations between the two countries, which can build an even more successful future on the basis of their common past. History must be acknowledged and the foundations of the post-WWII democratic world - anti-fascism and the universal principle in international relations under which borders cannot be changed by force - must not be questioned. Democracy, human and minority rights, media freedoms, free flow of people, goods and ideas are the key conditions that all countries in the region must meet to become full members of the EU, Mesic said. Preparations for membership are painful, but European regulations must be accepted, which will accelerate integration with the bloc, the Croatian president said.
Before addressing Macedonian MPs, Mesic held talks with Macedonian Parliament Speaker Ljubisa Georgijevski about bilateral relations and the situation in the region and the EU.
Later in the day, Mesic and Crvenkovski will take part in talks between the two countries' business people and attend the annual assembly of the Croat community in Macedonia.