President Milanović Tells Croats in Santiago: We are proud of you

During his official visit to Chile, President Milanović attended a formal dinner with the Croatian community on Monday evening at the Croatian Club in Santiago. In his address, he reminded the Croatian expatriates that he visited the Croatian Club in Santiago ten years ago, but that he did not come for their votes on neither occasion.

“I did not come for your votes or political support. But your story is incredible. There is nothing that it can be compared to in Croatian history, except perhaps with the story of Croatian emigrants in New Zealand. Your story is for Hollywood movies. We are proud of you, at least those of us who know more about you, and I will do my best for a greater number of people in Croatia to know more about you,” President Milanović told the members of the Croatian community at the formal dinner.

He thanked them once again for the assistance they provided to Croatia when it was most difficult. “Croatia defended itself and we will never forget those who were with us then. I say this not out of resentment towards those who were indifferent, but out of basic human gratitude. Thank you,” the President of the Republic concluded in his address at the Croatian Club in Santiago, extending his best Christmas and New Year wishes to members of the Croatian community in Chile.

Several hundred members of the Croatian community gathered at the Croatian Club. The President of Chile Gabriel Boric Font, whose father is of Croatian origin, was the special guest at the event, together with his family. President Boric Font also addressed the members of the Croatian community at the formal dinner, after which a cultural and artistic programme was held.

Earlier in the day, the President of the Republic visited the University of Chile, where he met with Rector Prof. Rosa Devés and delivered a lecture entitled “Geopolitics and consequences for the economy.”  

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta