News of the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić shocked Croatian public. This crime dealt a severe blow to the democratic changes that are taking place in Serbia and disrupted the peace and stability in the region.
Croatian Foreign Minister Picula expresses his indignation, but believes that Serbia's democratic potential is strong enough to continue with the reforms in the face of this tragedy. Prime Minister Đinđić was a symbol of all that Serbia was striving to be. He dedicated his life to building a better, more democratic Serbia. It is in the interest of its neighbours as well as the European Union that Serbia continue with the reforms along the path paved by Đinđić. The progress it has made should not be stopped or reversed.
Expressing his condolences in a telephone conversation with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Žarko Korać, Croatian Foreign Minister Picula said that Croatia supports Serbia along its path to democracy, and added that democratic governments help each other in situations like these.