(Hina). Croatia's top state officials have sent messages of condolence to Poland's people and leaders following the death of President Lech Kaczynski and other state and military officials in a plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, on Saturday.
President Ivo Josipovic sent a message to Acting President Bronislaw Komorowski, expressing condolences on his behalf and on the behalf of all Croatian citizens.
"At this horrible moment, the people of Croatia and I sympathise with you and the people of Poland in the shock and pain caused by the tragic death of President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and his associates," Josipovic said in the letter.
President Kaczynski's death is a loss not only "for the Republic of Poland, but for all Central European nations which aspire to live in line with European democratic traditions and the true values of civil and national freedom."
Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic offered his condolences to the presidents of both chambers of the Polish parliament, Bronislaw Komorowski and Bogdan Borusewicsz.
Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, too, joined in expressions of sympathy by sending a message of condolence to her Polish counterpart Donald Tusk.
Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic sent a letter of condolence to Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski whose deputy Andrzej Kremer died in the plane crash.
The Polish president, his wife and staff were on their way to attend events marking the 70th anniversary of the massacre of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police.
