Heads of foreign parliamentary delegations which attended a special Croatian parliament session on Saturday ahead of Croatia's European Union accession congratulated Croatia on the accession, saying it was returning to where it always belonged and that it was a successful example to the other countries in the region on their European path.
Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover told reporters after the session that Hungary had been there for Croatia from day one and that Croatia's EU accession on July 1 was the end of one and the beginning of another important period.
In this new period we have an offer for Croatia, to support together the Western Balkan countries which will follow it on the Euro-Atlantic path, to contribute together to the reuniting of Europe and to join forces to pursue our national interests more successfully, said Kover.
Slovenian Parliament Speaker Janko Veber said Croatia's EU accession was the achievement of a years-long goal, voicing confidence that this would improve Croatian-Slovenian relations.
I'm glad the Slovenian parliament unanimously ratified the accession treaty, showing that our years-long advocacy will be concluded with creative cooperation, he said.
There are many economic, cultural and, first and foremost, warm human ties between Croatia and Slovenia. EU entry will change the lives of the people along the border and their lives will certainly be easier. I believe the Croatian and Slovenian members of the European Parliament will work together for the benefit of the entire region, said Veber.
European Parliament Vice President Miguel Angel Martinez said Croatia had historically, culturally and geographically always been part of Europe and that now it was joining a project born after World War II under the motto "never again" to war, totalitarianism, suffering and injustice.
Croatia is joining a project of peace, justice, responsibility and hope, and I am absolutely certain that Europe will be richer and stronger with Croatia. Let's work together, let's say "never again to Vukovar" but also "never again to Jasenovac", never again to returning to the past. Let's embark and work together for the future. Long live Croatia in Europe and Europe in Croatia, said Martinez.
Austrian National Council Second President Fritz Neugebauer recalled the centuries-old ties between Croatia and Austria, which he said had always helped Croatia.
Croatia's road up to July 1 is something you can be proud of and which is worthy of every respect. I believe Croatia will play a big role helping other states which aspire to the same goal. Croatia's place is in Europe, he said, and ended his address in Croatian. "Dear Croatian friends, welcome to the EU. I wish us all a successful cooperation in the future."
The deputy president of the Polish parliament's lower house, Eugeniusz Grzeszczak, said Poland had always supported Croatia's efforts to join NATO, which it did in 2009, and the EU, which it would join on July 1.
As a state and as a nation, we are immensely looking forward to your success and will happily share our nine-year experience in the Union with you, he said.
The first vice president of the Swedish parliament, Susanne Eberstein, said Croatia was very well-prepared for EU membership and a very good example for the countries in the region and EU enlargement.
On behalf of the Swedish people, we congratulate the Croatian people and wish it a heartfelt welcome, she said.
The head of the French-Croatian inter-parliamentary friendship group in the French Senate, Michelle Andre, said French and Germany had launched the EU project and that it was well-known what the Croats had done to enable their neighbours to take the same path.
I hope the large European family will soon be fully united, she said.
In conclusion, Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko said Croatia should now turn to the future and pursue its own and the European interests in the community of European states.
"Let bygones be bygones. Let's turn to Croatia's future in the EU and to the EU's future, the shared future. We have a very challenging job in the Croatian parliament to recognise Croatian interests, to define them in Croatia and to present those positions in the EU," he said.
"I believe that future generations in the Union and Croatia will enjoy the EU values more than we have so far. Peace, security, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are the values which instil in Croatian citizens hope of a better future," Leko said.
