H.E. Mr Stjepan Mesic

President of the Republic of Croatia (2000-2010)

Mr Stjepan Mesić played a pivotal role during the dissolution of Yugoslavia, serving as Prime Minister of Croatia in 1990, the last President of the SFRY Presidency in 1991, and Speaker of the Croatian Parliament from 1992 to 1994. As the elected President of Croatia in 2000, he served two transformative terms until 2010, overseeing major democratic reforms, including the reduction of presidential powers, advancement of Croatia’s NATO and EU integration, advocacy for transitional justice and war crimes trials, reform of security services, and improvement of regional relations. 

Following his tenure in the office, he has continued to remain actively engaged in international affairs as an esteemed elder statesman, participating in high-level global forums alongside former heads of state and delivering addresses on regional reconciliation, democracy, and human rights.