PHOTO: Croatian Statesmen At Historic NATO Summit

Barack Obama emphasised that Croatia`s NATO membership would strengthen European defence and security.

Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader arrived in German Baden-Baden on Friday afternoon, to attend the NATO summit, with Croatia taking part as a full member for the first time.

- This is a historic moment, because Croatia will attend the summit as a NATO member. We have waited for this moment for a long time and have conducted all the necessary reforms. We have a depoliticised army which has been professionalised - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said before the NATO summit in Strasbourg.

Sanader pointed out that NATO had a different role during the Cold War than it has now, defending the values if Western countries.

President Mesic will attend a working dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the presidents and prime ministers.

The great peace project which has given 60 years of peace in Europe, events in our region set aside, cannot be threatened by one country destroying its principles. The president any myself, as well as the entire delegation, are going to Strasbourg, aware that we have realised 50 percent of integrations and we want to realise the remaining 50 percent, defending our principles, with which we have entered NATO.

Croatian PM Ivo Sanader

With this, the 23 rd NATO summit will commence, which will mark the 60 th anniversary of its establishment.

Mesic to address NATO members

Croatia`s Mesic is to address NATO members, for the first time as a president of one of 28 allies.

Mesic is expected to thank the organisation for Croatia`s accession and express willingness that Croatia, as a full member, contributes to joint goals and missions of the organisation.

American President Barack Obama mentioned Croatian NATO membership on Thursday, at a lecture in Strasbourg, saying it would strengthen European defence and security.

Barack Obama to present contract copies to new members

On the second day of the summit, Saturday, NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will open the meeting and welcome the heads of two new members, Croatia and Albania.

Afterwards, Chancellor Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will address NATO members, while US President Barack Obama, who is the depositor of the Washington Treaty, will welcome the new members and present them with contract copies.

This will welcome Croatia and Albania to the organisation.

Take a look at the attached photo gallery: Mesic And Sanader At NATO Summit.