Presidents Milanović and Begaj Visit Zadar
The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović and the President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj visited Zadar today. On the second day of the State visit of the Albanian President to the Republic of Croatia, the two presidents visited Our Lady of Loretto Church and the Monastery of the Franciscan School Sisters in Arbanasi.
In the Monastery of the Franciscan School Sisters in the community of Arbanasi, the two presidents met with the residents, and were acquainted with the history of Arbanasi. Arbanasi were Albanians who settled on the outskirts of Zadar in the 18th century, and this part of the city was named after them.
“The similarities are greater than the differences and, in the end, I can refer to the first sentence which said that, regardless of faith, we are brothers and sisters”, President Milanović stated in this address.
The President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj told the residents of Arbanasi: “Your presence here for more than three centuries is an important fact which has contributed to strengthening friendly and historical ties between our states and peoples”.
Speaking at the meeting with representatives of Arbanasi and of the Albanian national minority besides the two presidents were the President of the Cultural Association “Vicko Zmajević” Arbanasi Mrs. Maximilijana Barančić, Professor at the Department of Philosophy of the University of Zadar Mrs. Arta Dodaj, the President of the Local Council of Arbanasi Zvonimir Rogić, and the President of Zadar City Council Marko Vučetić. A brief cultural programme was presented.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić