With the raising of the flags of Croatia and the European Union, the playing of anthems and appropriate speeches, on Monday, the first day of Croatia's membership of the EU, Europe House was opened in downtown Zagreb where citizens will be able to obtain all the relevant information about the EU and their rights as citizens of the EU.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was conducted by Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, President of the European Parliament (EP) Martin Schulz, President of the European Commission (EC) Jose Manuel Barroso, EP Vice President Othmar Karas and EC Vice President Viviane Reding.
Prior to that, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusic raised the Croatian flag, while Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele raised the EU flag. After that, Milanovic, Schulz and Barroso made brief addresses.
Schulz said that today is a happy day for Croatia and Europe. It is my great honour and privilege to be here with you to celebrate this special day. Historically and culturally, Croatia has always been part of Europe. Today Croatia is returning to its rightful place in the European family. Today is the start of a new chapter for Croatia and the EU, he said.
He expressed his pleasure that Europe House was opened on the first day of Croatia's EU membership and that it would be available to Croatian citizens for information, discussions on the EU's work and for citizens to express their opinion. Schulz used this opportunity to invite Croatian citizens to vote in the next EP election in May 2014.
Barroso addressed the public in Croatian, saying "Good morning Croatia, welcome to the European Union."
You have shown that it is possible to overcome the burden of the past, to work on reconciliation and a better future for all and that this is in the interest of everyone. This is the spirit of Europe. These positive changes are not the end but a new beginning, Barroso said, adding that it was Croatian citizens who were responsible for the changes.
Just as Croatians have changed Croatia, your country can change this part of Europe, he added.
The EU is a means that allows you, citizens, to shape your future for the better, he said.
Milanovic said that this was one of those mornings when there was no intoxication and no hangover, not literally, of course". Speaking about yesterday's celebrations of Croatia's entry to the EU, he said that this was a unique event and the atmosphere "human and joyful".
"Ordinary human joy, nothing more and nothing less. And with that in our heads and hearts, we need to continue this hard job which has just begun and which in fact will never end", he stressed.
He added that not everything lay in European funds because Croatia had done a lot for itself, building its roads and infrastructure. "Naturally, we won't give up... on our high ambitions to fully absorb European funds."
According to Milanovic, now begins the "fine thread, delicate work" in which one nation, one political community irrevocably changes from day to day.
"Never before in our history has our fate been more in our hands and our success depended more on our desires and abilities, and our failure conditioned only by our weaknesses", underscored Milanovic.
