Inauguration ceremony held for Croatian President

Croatia's new, leftist president on Tuesday formally took office at an inauguration ceremony, urging more tolerance and equality for all in the country, which is the European Union's newest member state.

Zoran Milanovic took an oath of office at a small event attended by top officials and guests at the presidential headquarters in the capital, Zagreb.

"I will be committed above all to those elements of defence and national security that open up the possibility to step up, both in terms of professional achievement and education and for the transparency of these important and sensitive issues," he said in a speech.

Milanovic became Croatia's new head of state after beating former conservative President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic in a tight runoff vote held in early January.

Milanovic's victory dealt a blow to Croatia's conservative government, but also marked an important boost for the liberal political options in predominantly conservative and populist Central and Eastern Europe.

Croatia, which currently holds the presidency of the EU, joined the bloc in 2013, after going through a war in the 1990s that followed the breakup of the Yugoslav federation.

While the country has recovered from the war, it remains among the EU's weakest economies, while divisions stemming from the 1990s conflict and World War II remain deep, pitting the nationalists against liberals.

Milanovic said he will seek to play a constructive role while in office.