Mr. President of the Republic of Croatia,
On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Croatia, and on behalf of the Consular Corps and the International Organisations with headquarters in Zagreb, it is my honour to thank you and Mrs. Tatjana Josipović for your invitation to this traditional reception, and to express our best wishes to you for the recent Christmas holidays and the New Year.

Permit me also to extend our greetings to the distinguished political personalities present here today, especially to those with whom we are in touch more frequently in the fulfilment of our duties; namely, Their Excellencies Mr. President of the Parliament, Mr. President of the Government, Ms. First Deputy-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; and also to your Advisors in the Office of the President. We also extend our greetings to the President-elect, Mrs. Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, to all Croatian citizens, and especially to those who in various fields contribute to the progress and prosperity of this noble nation.

Mr. President,
As official representatives of our countries, we were privileged to follow the political and social events in Croatia also during the last year, and were honored to share often with Your Excellency the hopes and challenges of our times. We have been following your activities with admiration and respect. We have much appreciated your tireless commitment to strengthening the position of Croatia in the family of the nations, and your noticeable effort in favor of reconciliation and peace in the region.
Now, as your term of office is about to come to the end, we sincerely congratulate you for what you have achieved, in your capacities as the supreme state authority and the guarantor of constitutionality and unity. We would like also to express our deep gratitude for the attention you have always accorded to the Diplomatic Corps, and to respectfully wish you and your family all the best for your future activities.

Mr. President of the Republic, Happy New Year to you and your dear family! Happy New Year to the Government and those who have public responsibilities! Happy New Year to all Croatian citizens!
May God Almighty bless and protect Croatia always!
Thank you very much!

+ Alessandro D’Errico
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
Apostolic Nuncio