"We are leaving behind a tough and demanding year, a year with many expected obstacles but also many unpredictable ones. We thank you for patiently carrying the burden of the crisis and for not losing faith in a better tomorrow.

"The year ahead of us will not be easy either, but we are guided by a vision and conviction that we are doing good for the future of the country. No matter how hard it is today, Croatia has a future and resources which we can and will take advantage of. It has an honest government that is not working for its own interests, a government that is not buying voters, that is aware of the seriousness of its mission and that will not let you down.

"In order to succeed and ensure a better future for us and for our children, we have embarked upon serious reforms of the system to make it more transparent and fair. We are building a tolerant society of happy and free people who will make their choices in life based on knowledge and information. In this we continue to need your help and support to build a modern, truly democratic and prosperous state of which we will be proud and in which we will all live better than today," Milanovic said in his message.