ZAGREB, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The largest Croatian political party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), marked the thirtieth anniversary here on Monday.
At the ceremony, HDZ President and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic reminded of the political events when the first Croatian president Franjo Tudjman founded the party, which was the beginning of the multiparty system in Croatia.
"HDZ was key to the reconstruction of Croatia and it led the country on the way to the European Union," Plenkovic said at the ceremony.
He said that in today's Europe it is important to adapt to global change.
"Those countries that close in narrow corners, that feed with selfishness, who do not want to sit at a table discussing the future, are inadequate," said Plenkovic, concluding that Croatia and HDZ are not of such kind.
He stressed that the main task of HDZ is to create the circumstances for Croatian citizens to live better.
"We respect the tradition, but we do not want Croatia to be bound in the past. We do not want an exclusive and polarized Croatia, but a country aware of its potentials," the HDZ president said.
He stood for strengthening the right center, for reflecting on public policy and improving the functioning of the party.
Plenkovic also expressed hope that Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who is supported by HDZ, will re-run in the upcoming presidential elections at the end of this year.
The HDZ was established on June 17, 1989. As a member of European People's Party, it is currently the largest party in Croatian parliament with 55 seats.
