President Ivo Josipovic said on Tuesday evening that hard work, courage and decency were guarantees of the success of Croatia within the European Union, stressing that no Croatian citizen should feel excluded or discriminated against in their own country.
Addressing a ceremony marking Statehood Day in the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, which was attended by the entire state leadership and about a hundred guests, Josipovic said that the global crisis was threatening with social injustice and a risk of rising undemocratic forces to which the values of modern Europe were unknown, even hostile, and that under such circumstances democratic institutions, the rule of law and a clear system of social values were necessary for social cohesion.
The President said that freedom, democracy and justice were the values that needed to be constantly fought for, calling for a democratic debate on all, even the most sensitive, world-view issues.
"No one should feel excluded or discriminated against in their own country, Croatia, either in terms of their world view or on the grounds of religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual or any other orientation," he said.
Speaking of the recession, unemployment and poverty, Josipovic called for being open to new ideas in science, culture and the arts, and for assisting young people in becoming a driving force of development and progress.
"Investment, new jobs and socially responsible business are key to success," Josipovic said.
Josipovic said that Croatia had come a long way from its struggle for independence to becoming a member of the European Union, noting that it had become a better society in the process.
In the last 20 years or so, we have developed democratic institutions, strengthened human and minority rights, established ourselves in the international community and become a member of NATO. We have made friends around the world, made peace with our neighbours and started a bitter fight against corruption, achieving numerous successes in culture, sciences, sports, and despite the crisis in the economy as well, he said.
Josipovic said that as a member of the European Union Croatia would co-decide on issues of importance to our country, Europe and entire humanity.
On this occasion, the President awarded state decorations and awards to deserving individuals, companies and cultural institutions.
