"Mrs. Prime Minister, I have the honour, on behalf of the 27 member-states and the 27 heads of state or government, to convey to you the good news that Croatia will become the 28th member-state", European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said in Brussels addressing Croatia's PM Jadranka Kosor.

The European Council's head extended cordial congratulations to Kosor on Croatia's forthcoming inclusion into the European family.

"This would not have been possible without the hard work of the Croatian government and people and without your personal leadership", Van Rompuy said.

After the adoption of the Council's conclusions, the decision on Croatia was made public at a special news conference held at the Council of the EU by Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Viktor Orban, the PM of Hungary, which is currently chairing the EU, and by PM Kosor.

During the conference, translation into Croatian was provided. Upon Croatia's entry into the European bloc, Croatian will become the EU's 24th official language.

At a two-day summit which ended on Friday, EU leaders called on the Council of the EU to close by the end of June the four remaining policy areas in Croatia's EU talks - which is most likely to happen next Thursday - and to sign an accession treaty with Croatia by the end of this year.

This meeting of the European Council will be remembered as the meeting that paved the way to Croatia's EU membership, Van Rompuy said.

Addressing reporters, Kosor thanked European leaders for supporting Croatia on its path to the EU, expressing special gratitude to Croatian veterans.

"I have always said that there will be no better present for Croatian citizens for the 20th anniversary of Croatia's independence than to complete EU talks, so that Croatia could become a proud 28th member of the EU. This is now becoming a reality and I and my government are filled with pride, but this also encourages us for the work that we will be doing until the accession treaty is signed and Croatia takes its place at the table of European states and nations as a member with equal rights," Kosor said.

"At this moment, I want to thank Croatian veterans and the people of Croatia who deserve most credit for establishing a free, independent, democratic and European Croatia. I have to say that they have really fully supported us on the European path," Kosor added.

She underlined that processes launched in the fight against corruption and crime and in the reform of the judiciary were irreversible and that they were to the benefit of all people in Croatia.

Kosor said that "this historic moment" was also a message to Croatia's neighbours that once Croatia joined the EU, it would continue to support them "because it is the only way to build a lasting peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Europe."

European Commission President Barroso said today was a historic day for Croatia, for Western Balkans and the European Union.

"Today, the heads of state or government recognised the quality of the work done over a number of years and Croatia's progress", Barroso said, "adding that the European Council's decision made it possible for Croatia to join the EU on 1 July 2013."

"I am confident that until then Croatia will continue with preparations for membership with the same vigour as in recent months, Barroso said, congratulating Kosor on the great accomplishment."

The EC president also said he was looking forward to welcoming Croatia's commissioner during the current term of the European Commission.

Hungarian PM Orban, too, offered his congratulations.

"Mrs. Prime Minister, on behalf of the Hungarian people I would like to congratulate first to the Croatian people and also to the Croatian government and you personally for not giving up in this mission, despite the fact that at times it seemed hopeless or at least difficult. Our only comment is that we, Hungarians, are very happy", said Orban.