Distinguished Mr Mesic, President of the Republic of Croatia,
Distinguished Mr Bebic, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia,
Distinguished Mrs Kosor, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Distinguished guests from the country and abroad,
Excellencies, representatives of friendly countries , dear fellow citizens, all citizens of the Republic of Croatia, dear guests and friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I extend a welcome to all our citizens and distinguished guests from Europe and the world, our neighbours.
I consider your presence here a gesture of trust, friendship and partnership.

I stand before you with a feeling of obligation and responsibility to the office that I have been entrusted with by Croatian citizens at the elections. I am grateful and honoured. I took an oath to perform this duty with responsibility and dedication. I shall put in all my strength , knowldedge and capabilities in order to justify the confidence placed in me. A good cooperation with the Government is indispensable for the success of both my and their term of office. I shall perform this new duty responsibly and conscientiously to the benefit of Croatia and all its citizens. I shall serve Croatia, our beautiful homeland.
I want to be the President of all Croatian citizens and strengthen the values of democracy, justice and social solidarity in an uncompromising way.

At this solemn moment I first want to remember all honourable people who fought, and many of them gave their lives, for a free and just Croatia. We owe them our eternal gratitude.

With great respect, I thank my predecessor, Mr Stjepan Mesic, whose ten years in office gave an exceptional contribution to the development of democracy in Croatia and strengthening of our position within the international community. I also rmemeber the first Croatian President, Franjo Tudjman, under whose leadership Croatia won its independence. The Homeland War and Croatian antifascism, embodied in the Partisan struggle in WWII are the two pillars of Croatia's statehood and this is the heritage I shall always uphold and emphasize. The fruits of antifascism and the Homeland War today signify patriotism and advocacy of human rights, social sensitiivity and social solidarity.

It was with a vision of a European, prosperous Croatia that I embarked on the electoral process. My key motivation was that of JUSTICE, the moral and legal foundation of a better society. We established a state, but justice and fairness are the values yet to be materialized in their full scope.

Strength, responsiblity and determination frequently stayed hidden. We find them again today, for they are neccessary for us to be able to pursue true justice and patriotism. It is justice without exception and patriotism that does not rely on personal interest, and does not remain in words only, but patriotism that is confirmed in deeds and reflected in results. Time has come for Croatia to review and resolutely change whatever is wrong and makes people unequal, divides and humiliates them. It is not only the matter of changing laws and enacting new or improved ones. It is about every one of us changing him or herself. Each of us is always the very foundation of justice and with our behaviour we either create or deny justice. That is why we should not fear, keep silent or turn our heads away! Courage triumphs over injustice and realizes a more just and a better society in which each citizen has equal rights and an equal chance to get education, employment and a decent living for him or hersef and their entire families, and has the right to live in a state that respects and protects human and other rights of its citizens. In this struggle for justice I shall, in my capacity of the President of the Republic of Croatia, and that of a citizen be in the first ranks and shall never tire of it, I promise you that!

Croatia has to be the home of democracy and human rights. The holders of power have to perform their duties in accordance with the highest standards of political and professional responsibility and remove every possible conflict of interest that could raise doubt of their impartiality or self-interest. Democratic processes have to continue and include not only the right of majority to take political decisions, but also the political culture which will protect the legitimate interests of the minority. The strengthening of the rule of law and institutions and the involvment of a larger number of citizens in democratic processes of decision-making and overseeing the government are the essential guidelines to the development of our democracy. Human rights, and not only the fundamental human rights, but also the advanced-generation rights such as the right to health, to education and to work. Democracy and the human rights doctrine include religous and minority rights. Croatia is a country of religious freedom. Religous belief, or absence of it, is the right of every citizen. All religious communities enjoy the right of confessing their religion and getting the necessary state support for the fulfillment of their religous needs, in accordance with the economic potentials of the country and the principle of fairness. Any discrimination: national, religous, based on gender or sexual orientation , social or regional origin or any other grounds, is inadmissible and I shall, as the President of the Republic of Croatia, personally be a barrier to it.

National minorities and their culture are the wealth of Croatia and an integral part of its overall cultural heritage. National minorities are also a splendid link between Croatia and the countries of their origin, the same as the Croatian diaspora is a bridge connecting Croatia to other countries.

I travelled extensively in Croatia and visited hundreds of villages and towns, met with thousands of people. Many of them work hard and cannot live off their work. Many are unemployed. Many are on the very brink of existence. This must change!

We have a land with natural wealth, honesty and diligence of its people, which suffices to make all its citizens prosperous. We have to use the resources we have in the right way in order to create the society which is based on work, knowledge and creativity.

Entrepreneurship is the very foundation of economic progress. And finally, entrepreneurship has to be given a resolute impetus, strengthening motivation for domestic and foreign investment. It is necessary to define the most efficient measures for subsidies in the economy and to put in place the most favourable conditions for production and export.

There can be no progressive economy if all participating in the process are not motivated. That is why the workers' rights and those of all employees, and the social dialogue, are all a part of this progress. Fair remuneration for honest work, and decent pensions for the contribution previous generations extended to our society are all part of the concept of fairness I advocate.

Croatia is in the chains of economic crisis. We have to face the fact that we got to recognize it too late and thus let it escalate so that it now represents a threat to the basic values of the Croatian society. Partly, it has roots in the world crisis, but it also has important causes in Croatia. We have to point at the long-term negative consequences of an unfair and partly criminal privatisation that led to the collapse of economic resources and loss of jobs, as main generators of both the economic and moral crisis. Corruption and organized crime, especially the white-collar crime is another important cause of the crisis we find ourselves in. Apart from that, the lack of appropriate economic policy that failed to recognize that we need to produce and export more and know our comparative advantages, evenly support toursim, agriculture, industry and small enterprises and crafts, which all led to the sorry situation that Croatia today produces less than it did before the war. The number of unemployed grows daily , the same as the number of insolvent or bankrupt companies.

This must change!
I am ready to work with dedication on economic reforms, with the Government , which is in charge of the economy, and with assistance of economic diplomacy, and I shall advocate optimum solutions. Optimism is a prerequisite for success, along with faith in one's own powers and readiness to send to the citizens , by fairly sharing the burden of crisis, the message of solidarity and of dedication to the implementation of reforms. Social sensitivity, the protection of the underprivileged and the unemployed, the sick, children and the families are our obligation, as human beings and citizens. Struggle against poverty and social exclusion are a part of values Croatian society and culture rely on. Every citizen is entitled to health and appropriate health care and a pension system that provides decent living for the retired. The financing of the health care and pension systems have too render this possible. Environmental protection and sustainable development are an indispensable component of the philosophy of development of Croatian society. There can, however, be no progress for the society that fails to invest into knowledge. Science and education availabe to all young people under equal conditions, lifelong learning and integration into the European educational and scientific space are all indispensable for overall development. Youth is our greatest wealth. Investing into their education makes the best investment.

I have faith in our capability to surmount difficulties and make our homeland a developed European country with our knowledge, determination and vision. Croatia will defeat the crisis and in time become a country of work and prosperity.

Croatia is getting close to the end of its passage to the European Union. Due to the war, and, until recently, lack of our readinessto implement relevant reforms, such as a more resolute struggle against corruption, this passage lasted longer than expected. All Governments and convocations of the Parliament to this day, together with the negotiating team, were all sincerely dedicated to the idea of European Croatia. I thank them on the huge effort they put in to materialize our European dream. With the Government, I shall take resolute steps to make Croatia a member state of the EU. EU membership is a challenge and we have to prove our capability to succeed at the large and demanding European market and fully adopt all democratic values of the united Europe. This objective can be reached by preparing our businesses well for it, strengthening knowledge and sustainable development. The EU also represents a challenge to preserve our own national identity, so that a small nation within a large multinational community will remain recognizable for its Croatian identity and that of its national minorities. This can be achieved first and foremost with our culture, respecting our tradition and stimulating creativity and modern artistic and cultural creation and strengthening of national cultural institutions. One's own culture is not preserved by isolation. Nurturing and affirmation of own culture presupposes openness towards other cultures and respect for cultural diversity and cultural cooperation with other countries.
Jean Monet, one of the initiators of the European idea said: 'We don't unite states, we bring European peoples together.'

Croatia is already a member of NATO . It is not only a military alliance, but also a political one, which promotes democracy and values of the Western civilisation. Adapting to NATO's military standards is an important task which is made hard by the economic crisis. Croatia's incorporation into this structure is an important task, both in the military and in the political respect.

Croatia is a responsible member of the UN, the world organisation which is the venue for meetings of states of the most diverse political systems, civilisations, economic development and positions. Croatia has to make maximum use of mechanisms provided by this organisation to establish political, business and other contacts.

The development of good relations with neighbouring countries and the entire region is of a strategic significance for Croatia. Good neighbourly relations guarantee peace, security and stability, the opening of commercial relations, investment, growth in tourism, cultural, sports and other cooperation with countries in the region. The development of good relations at the regional level has strategic significance and is one of the priorities of the foreign policy I shall endorse. I emphasize that it is necessary to resolve all open issues with neighbours, both border disputes and those that are a consequence of the war. Finding out the destiny of the missing persons, insisting on responsibility for war crimes, return of seized cultural heritage, reconstruction of destroyed facilities, return of refugees, guarantees for their safety and property restitiution and solving of all open issues are the most important tasks for politicians in all countries. Peace-oriented policy has no alternative and the current generation of politicians simply has no right to leave problems to coming generations. I am convinced that partnership in the region, with leadership of economically and politically most successful countries, will result in prosperity of all countries which will culminate with the accession of all countries in the region to the EU.

Croatia's foreign policy is focused on Europe and the region, but aware that Croatia needs friends everywhere in the world. Global peace-keeping and the wish to establish friendly, political, business and cultural ties throughout the world determine the policy I advocate. Large countries, such as Russia, China or India, countries of South America, Africa, Asia and Australia, are all important partners, particularly in business. Acceptance of political, religious, cultural and economic diversity is the very foundation of understanding and good relations. I consider countries where Croatian diaspora lives especially important, and the same goes for the economic and cultural cooperation with the diaspora. Strategic partnership with the United States of America has been confirmed on many ocassions, not only in the framework of NATO, but also in bilateral relations, which we hold very important.

Large tasks lie ahead for Croatia and us who have the mandate to lead her. I shall insist on the development of a state based on the values of responsibility, integrity, trust, respect and equal opportunity, non-discrimination and evaluation through knowledge and work, in a nutshell – on justice. I shall insist on developing a system that will motivate citizens to uphold , embrace and live these values and principles, and not to feel as losers if they do so. In other words, I shall insist on a system in which it will be crystal clear that corruption and crime hold no reward. Property and social status gained in such way will not last long. We shall restore to people dignity and faith that honesty and responsibility are worthwhile.

We all have responsibility in realizing such a state and society. I recognise my responsibility and am ready to motivate institutions and citizens with my own example and work, to follow the same path. I see today that we all strive to be on that path. I see readiness to embark on that path and the new power being born, ready to carry out profound reforms and that will make Croatia a better and a just country. Despondent attitude and the feeling of powerlessness are left behind and we bring new determination into the new time. That is why I appeal to you not to forget, even for a single moment, that this is your country, that it is in your hands and that it has no other master but you!

In the 21st century we shall unite in fighting corruption and crime, the cancer in the tissue of a healthy, just and progressive society. We are not indifferent and shall not stand by silently and helplessly while dirty money buys what is Croatia's, gaining economic resources, making possible the use of false diplomas, privileges and unearned wealth. As the President of the Republic I promise never to give up fighting for a fair and just society. I shall not tire of an uncompromising struggle against corruption, wherever it rises it's head. In every day of my term in office I shall be guided by this truth: your welfare is my duty and the objective of my actions.

In the 21st century we shall build a country based on knowledge, new technologies and the concept of sustainable development. Modern states which emerged in the 19th century in western democracies, which today, in most respects, meet the needs of their citizens, will not be enough tomorrow. The new, postmodern state will have to accept climate change, strict standards of environmental protection, global introduction of information technology, new understanding of human rights, recognize science, education and culture as generators of progress and preservation of own identity in a global and multicultural society. Such state will provide efficient service to citizens and businesses. It will be the state of a newly articulated sovereignity which is not in conflict, but in sinergy with other states, associations and international organizations. In such state the citizens of Croatia will truly feel citizens of Europe and the World.

As the President of Croatia I am ready to lead the change that lies ahead of our country. I know I cannot do that on my own. I need the Government, the Parliament, political parties, and first and foremost, I need you, citizens of this beautiful country. We shall write a new page in history together. We embark on a new path, that of a more stable, safer and economcally more developed country, the path of democratic and cultural progress and social welfare. We shall be the force changing the aspect of this country, undermining the foundations of injustice, creating a new Croatia.

Taht will finally be a country we deserve, a beautiful and attractive home to all honest people.

Citizens of the Republic of Croatia, I thank you again and promise: I shall serve you, I shall serve our country!

May you live long and prosper and long live our Croatia!