"Twenty two years after the Constitutional Decision on the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Croatia and the Declaration proclaiming the sovereign and independent Republic of Croatia, we are about to make another wish come true - full membership of the European Union," the PM said in a note.

He recalled that after the "historic decision" to pursue the future on its own, a war was imposed on Croatia "in which we lost many dear ones, many friends."

"With special reverence, we thank all the defenders and their families who made the greatest sacrifice in the defence of the country, the establishment of peace, and the reconstruction of demolished homes," Milanovic said.

As we are joining the European family, we will find the strength, the know-how and the determination to achieve the main goal of our policy - the economic recovery and further development of independent Croatia, he said, congratulating on the government's behalf all Croatian citizens on Statehood Day.