Seks underlined in parliament that Mesic was decorated at the proposal of the Parliament Presidency and the presidents of all parliamentary parties.
Seks said that Mesic made an immeasurable contribution to the international promotion of Croatia as a democracy and a law-based state.
According to Seks, Mesic greatly contributed to the promotion of Croatia as a country which has embraced European values and standards and which consistently implements peace, stability and security, while as the same time respecting the equality and sovereignty of other states.
Seks added that Parliament acknowledged the huge confidence Mesic won among voters by winning two presidential elections.
"I see this decoration not only as an expression of respect for the institution of the president of the republic, but also as a recognition of my policy at the home and foreign fronts, which citizens have recognised as their own, electing me president twice," Mesic said accepting the decoration.
He said his work would not be so successful without all the political forces which fought since the 1970s for the democratic Croatia of today.
Recalling the tenth anniversary of 1995's Operation Storm, which liberated parts of Croatia then occupied by Serb rebels, and all who had given their lives for free and independent Croatia, Mesic underlined that citizens were now turned to the future and the creation of conditions for Croatia's accession to the European Union and NATO.
The president said he also saw the decoration as a public recognition of his contribution in that field as well as encouragement for future work.
Attending the presentation ceremony were the parliamentary vice presidents, the presidents of clubs of deputies and the Constitutional and Supreme courts, and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and associates.