With congratulations on an "excellent job," President Ivo Josipovic on Thursday wished all participants in Croatia's accession negotiations with the European Union to "do the referendum triumphantly as well" so that Croatia could join the Union in mid-2013.
The president organised a reception for the negotiating group and all other expects who were involved in the EU entry talks.
After successfully completing the negotiations, Croatia signed on December 9 the Accession Treaty which must be ratified by the parliaments of the Union's 27 members. Before that, Croatia will hold an accession referendum.
"I congratulate you on an excellent job" and want "us to do the referendum triumphantly" and "quickly do the ratification process" so that Croatia "enters the EU on 1 July 2013," said Josipovic.
By drawing closer to the EU, Croatia has become "a better state and a better society," he added.
"The EU is a possibility for us all," the president said, adding that "Croatia must use this opportunity."
Outgoing Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor organised a reception yesterday for all those who took part in the EU accession negotiations.
