Zagreb (IKA) – On the morning of October 4, the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops and archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, sent congratulations to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić, on the occasion of the inauguration of accession negotiations between the Republic of Croatia and the European Union.

The news that accession negotiations for the entry of the Republic of Croatia into full membership in the European Union have begun today filled us with joy and new hopes, pointed out the cardinal, congratulating the president personally as well as all the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and expressing his wish for the most effective and fruitful negotiations. The Republic of Croatia belongs to the European continent in terms of geography and civilization, and as such has its place in the community of the European Union. We believe that with wise and prudent conducting of the negotiations, Croatia will maintain and protect its valuable specific qualities and thus enrich the community of our European house with its heritage that has been cultivated for centuries. As believers, we pray and wish that the processes that began today will bring abundant peace and prosperity to all the inhabitants of our country, emphasized Cardinal Bozanić.