At a ceremony organized at this educational institution, attended by ministers, ambassadors of foreign countries accredited in Prishtina, local and foreign business representatives, professors, activist Adem Demaçi, and others, Mesić expressed his gratitude not only for the honorary title but also for the contribution, as he said, of Albanians to Croatia’s independence.
“You gave us generals, and not a single member of the large Albanian community in Croatia ever stood on the opposite side during the war in Croatia,” Mesić said.
He said he felt very happy to be among friends and spoke about his experiences as a politician in building a democratic society.
Mesić reflected on the different periods Croatia has gone through—the period of independence, building democratic institutions, separation of powers, and the importance of citizens’ proper access to information, where he also discussed the role of the media.
President Mesić has made a major contribution to the development of democracy and human rights, as well as to regional cooperation.
President Mesić has also provided continuous support in affirming Kosovo’s right to self-determination and independence, as well as his unwavering assistance in fostering friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Kosovo.
Stjepan Mesić is a Croatian politician who served as President of Croatia from 2000 to 2010. In addition to the presidency, Mesić has held other state positions such as member of parliament and Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Prime Minister of Croatia, and various other political and party roles. Mesić was born into a wealthy and educated family in Orahovica and was raised under the care of his grandmother Marija.
He completed part of his primary education and two years of high school in Osijek, and then completed the remainder of high school in Požega, where he graduated in 1955 as an exemplary student. Mesić pursued university studies at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb, graduating in 1961. That same year, Mesić married Milka Dudundić, with whom he has two daughters. After graduating and before entering politics, he continuously worked in his professional field.
