"It's time for decisions that, even though tough perhaps, will bring Croatia prosperity. We have neither the right nor the time not to decide, fearing a wrong decision. Decisions at all levels of government must be adopted quickly and in harmony, with one goal - economic recovery and job creation. We have to subordinate all forces to that goal," Josipovic said in his message on Croatia's 21st birthday.

He called on Croatian citizens to proudly remember all the heroes that had made freedom and democracy possible.

"Let's defeat the crisis through work, perseverance and optimism and continue building a successful and just Croatia," said the President.

Development is a priority and "we need new ideas and new development projects," he said, underlining the need for solidarity and equity.

In times of crisis, more than ever, people are motivated to work hard and make sacrifices and encouraged to be optimistic and self-confident only when society shows solidarity and equity. Feeling unity and solidarity with those fallen on hard times is the foundation of a just society, Josipovic said.

A just society is the one where everyone can live off their work and in which the burden of the crisis is distributed in proportion to citizens' economic power, in which there is rule of law and equal opportunity, in which human rights are respected, there is work responsibility and success is appreciated and valued, he added.

"In good times, and even more so in bad times, we need both more justice and more daring to achieve it."

The main motive 21 years ago was freedom, because there is no progress without it, and it envisages responsibility, openness to others and those who are different, and respect for their liberties, the President said.

"Freedom means rejecting radicalism and violence. Freedom means democracy. My Croatia, the Croatia I want is such a Croatia, a country of freedom, democracy, openness and understanding, a country of human rights, a country of equity and solidarity."

Croatians can be proud because today Croatia is a European country, a stable democracy and a society that is certainly better than yesterday, the President said.

He warned, however, that the economic crisis, unemployment and bad economic indicators make citizens feel helpless and despondent. They wonder if they will find a job, if their pensions will be enough for decent living, if they will be able to pay for their children's tuition, if they will stay healthy, and young people wonder about their future.

"I know many have a hard time, but in hard times we have to ask ourselves: Is there a way out of the crisis? Can we change something? Can we do better? We can and must do better! It's time for action."

It's time to realise that success won't just happen, the President said, adding that the country's birthday is a time to recall that Croatia's creation and defence were achieved in even tougher circumstances.

"We were successful then, mainly, perhaps, because even in the toughest times we focused on the most important goal and were also determined and showed solidarity."

Josipovic said big mistakes were done in the past which, together with the global crisis, led to the current hardships. "Nothing was done about the worst kind of stealing, corruption, nepotism and incompetence. We didn't take advantage of the good times, we didn't always give the best and most educated a chance to pull us forward," he said, adding that often, everyone had been favoured except those that created.

"That must change. The so-called little people make this country great with their conscientious work."

Societal recovery will not happen by itself but be the result of work and deliberation, Josipovic said, stressing that Croatia must be ready for new opportunities such as next year's accession to the European Union.

"I know, many of you are still sceptical about Europe. But the EU is a new, big opportunity and challenge for us. It's only up to us whether we will use it for the country's development and raising living standards. Neither Croatia nor we all are worse than the others. We have proved that many times and that's why I'm certain that we will know how to use the opportunity Europe offers," the President said.