Addressing reporters after the talks held at the beginning of Mesic's two-day visit to Slovakia, Gasparovic said the case of runaway Croatian general Ante Gotovina must not be the reason for discontinuing accession talks between Croatia and the EU, adding that he believed that Croatia had done its best to locate Gotovina.
Gasparovic, who visited Croatia several times in 2004 and 2005, said he admired Croatia's economic momentum, especially in the sector of tourism, and added that Croatia could serve as an example to his country in some areas, such as highway construction.
President Mesic said that Slovakia, a country with a population of five million which has integrated with the EU very quickly in terms of economy and culture, served as an example to Croatia regarding EU integration.
"The negotiations between Slovakia and the EU were very short and effective and we will use both its positive and negative experiences in the process," Mesic said, adding that Croatia had accepted the assistance of Slovak negotiators.
Gasparovic and Mesic will today visit Bratislava's suburb of Devinsko Novo Selo, where they will meet representatives of some 3,000 Croats living in Slovakia.