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 and joy to thank you and Mrs. 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. Through you, we also extend our greetings to all Croatian citizens, especially to those in various fields who contribute to the progress and prosperity of this noble nation.

Mr. President, as the official representatives of our countries, we are privileged to follow the political and social events in Croatia, and honoured to share with Your Excellency the hopes and challenges of our times. In this context, let me say that we follow your activities with admiration and respect. We much appreciate your tireless commitment to strengthening the position of Croatia in the family of the nations, both at home and abroad. We sincerely congratulate you for what you have achieved, in your capacities as the supreme state authority and the guarantor of constitutionality and unity.

With you, we rejoice in the imminent full European integration of Croatia. We are convinced that Croatia greatly deserves to be part of the European Union, not only because of its history and geography but also because of its ability to overcome the sufferings of the past and build its own destiny in freedom, cooperation, reconciliation and peace.

Obviously we do not overlook the problems you have to confront in your daily duties, including challenges coming from the global economic crisis, some delicate situations at the regional level, inherited from the past, and some tensions on issues of particular importance for religious communities. We are confident that, having in mind the goals that the country intends to achieve at the domestic and international levels, under your wise guidance Croatia will be able to overcome the present difficulties, as it has so many times in its history, so that the New Year might really be a remarkable one for its progress and stability.

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 people of good will and 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