Ivan Gašparovič attended the inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected President of Croatia Ivo Josipović in Zagreb.

Following the official inauguration, Mr Gašparovič had two bilateral meetings. He first met outgoing President of Croatia Stjepan Mesić. At the meeting, Mr Gašparovič said that mutual relations between Slovakia and Croatia were excellent. Stjepan Mesić thanked President Gašparovič for the assistance of Slovakia as well as his personal help in Croatia’s efforts to access the European Union. Both politicians also discussed the situation in Bosnia and the Kosovo issue.

Afterwards, the Slovak President also met with the new President of Croatia Josipović. Mr Gašparovič said that Slovakia would continue to support Croatia’s integration ambitions. “I would like to assure you that Slovakia will, by all means available, support Croatia’s ambitions to access the EU," Mr Gašparovič emphasised. "

Allow me to express my gratitude for your support in Croatia’s integration in the EU”, President Josipović said during the meeting. "The Slovaks and Croats are close due to their joint political standpoint as well as their minorities living in both countries. I believe that such a good cooperation will further continue in the years to come," the new President of Croatia said.