Mr. President of the European Council, Van Rompuy,
Mr. President of the European Parliament, Buzek,
Mr. President of the European Commission, Barroso,
Messrs. Heads of State and Government of the European Union member states,
Ladies and gentlemen, 
  
We are witnessing a historic event. The signing of the Accession Treaty between the Republic of Croatia and the European Union is an event that, in terms of its importance for Croatian citizens, matches the Croatian Parliament’s decision on our country’s independence. 
  
Technically, the accession process started six years ago. In reality, it started at the moment when we decided to break free from the dictate of a political one-track mindset and take the path of democracy, market economy, and subsequently of the state independence and the political sovereignty of the Croatian people and all our citizens. It took Croatia twenty years to return to the political and cultural area to which it has belonged throughout the centuries of its history. Today, we are finally crossing again the threshold of our European home. 
  
Unfortunately, Croatia's return included war, war as the greatest evil of human society. I am deeply honoured that on this historic occasion I can represent the citizens of the Republic of Croatia. At the same time, I am standing here humbled with respect and appreciation before the magnitude of their contribution to this achievement, which also includes the loss of lives. 
  
Croatia is the first new member state of the European Union which during its transition towards membership had to overcome the difficult legacy of war. This makes Croatia's success even greater. For this very reason and in this time of a profound crisis in Europe, the European Union too can proudly congratulate itself: for, Croatia's success is Europe's success as well. Croatia's success is the success of a peace-making policy which is the strongest foundation of the unification of Europe. 
  
Today, Croatia is not surrendering to the European Union its hard-won sovereignty. Today, the Republic of Croatia is investing part of its sovereignty in the European Union. Having admitted Croatia, Europe has gained one of the most precious and most beautiful areas in Europe but, above all, it has gained the Republic of Croatia as an experienced agent of peace, democracy and the rule of law in the part of Europe that is, following the turmoil of the late 20th century, still stabilising. Croatia joins Europe in order to give its contribution, given its experience and success, to the successful continuation of the enlargement process in our neighbouring region. Europe makes Croatia richer, Croatia makes Europe richer. 
  
Efforts, energy, trust and dedication to the accession process by all those in Croatia who have worked on our European future have been enormous. This refers to all Croatian Governments since the year 2000, state institutions, non-governmental organisations, almost our entire society. I thank the Government of the Republic of Croatia that brought the negotiating process to a successful conclusion. I thank the large and competent negotiating team which, apart from the best Croatian civil servants, also included many experts, professionals and scholars from the academic community, business and non-governmental sector. I thank the Croatian Parliament and members of parliament who made the largest legislative effort in our history in the transforming our legislation and demonstrated an unprecedented level of unity of all the leading parliamentary political parties and political options on Croatia’s path to Europe. I also pay tribute to other men and women who participated in the process, including the media that promoted the European idea in the public. We would not have been that successful if it was not for the unwavering and minutely structured support of the European Commission that served the interests of the member states with equal dedication as it served the Republic of Croatia. We would not have made it without the strong and friendly support of individual member states. I thank you for this! 
  
The transformative impact of the accession process may not yet be quite obvious to all. Today, Croatia is entering Europe but, more importantly, Europe has entered Croatia. The task of acceding to the European Union is not yet completed for us in Croatia. I am confident that we will accomplish it. We shall persevere in the reform effort and full implementation of the acquis.
        
It is fortunate for us that the final act of the negotiating process that includes a referendum on Croatia’s accession and ratification process in the member states prior to the final formal accession on 1 July 2013 coincides with a new parliamentary cycle. Croatia will soon have a new government which, with its democratic legitimacy refreshed at the elections that have just been held, can and must carry on reforms and move forward on our European path with new enthusiasm. 
  
In this festive moment, I am aware that the challenges facing all of us in Europe and in Croatia today are formidable. The European Union is a process in which the very Union is still being in the making. For this reason, the challenges are relentless. Thus far, responses to these challenges have made the European Union ever stronger. This is how it is going to be this time as well. Croatia takes pride in being able to contribute to finding responses with its own strength. However, today I am certain of one thing: the response to these challenges is: more unity and more Europe, not less. This holds true for the European Union just as it does for Croatia: Croatia too needs more Europe, not less. 
  
Today is the day when the process of our mutual enrichment begins. My congratulations go to all!