(ANSA) - ZAGREB, FEBRUARY 18 - In a brief and austere ceremony in Zagreb, Social Democrat Zoran Milanovic swore the oath of office on the Constitution today at noon, becoming the fifth president of Croatia since independence achieved in 1990.

In his inaugural speech, Milanovic made a crucial distinction between patriotism as "a constructive and inclusive sense of national belonging" and a "crude nationalism" that he connected to contemporary populisms so common in Europe. The new Croatian president has placed the fight against "falsehoods, all discrimination, and clientelism" among the top priorities of his five-year term. Alongside the institutions, he indicated "science, the judiciary and the press" as those parts of society that play a crucial role in fighting social and political deviations.

In foreign policy, in which the head of the Croatian state has relevant competence, Milanovic has announced that in the relations with other countries he will focus on issues such as "cooperation and development, which are certainly many more than those who divide, including those Countries with which we still have many issues to be resolved." (ANSA).