President Milanović in Split: It’s not good for one person to think on behalf of all of us

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended today a special session of Split City Council. In his address he congratulated the residents of Split on their Day and wished them to organize, develop and enhance the City to an enviable level. He called on the Mayor of Split to tap all the EU funds available.

“This is our money. I hope that soon we will not be the beneficiary of the funds because if we remain so during the lifetime and active working period of our children, it means we remain a below-average European country”, President Milanović noted, adding that a lot of work is required to absorb European funds.

“This is where I see Croatia, created in war and in battle, and as an end in itself. Of course mistakes can be made in trying to achieve this goal, not all means are allowed, or have been used in our case. The European Union and NATO are more or less like food additives”, President Milanović said figuratively.

“The European Union is not a democratic institution, democratic responsibility in the EU practically doesn’t exist, it is marginal. It exists and must exist in Croatia. Today there is one government, tomorrow it will be the same one or another one, but certainly at some point it will change – I refer to your city, not to the state. I would like for you to put aside political ideological differences as much as possible. I would like to believe that with time these differences will become smaller, although they will not disappear. If ideological differences disappear, then all of us will be the same, and one person will think on behalf of us. Diversity is good,” President Milanović underlined.

“We need a world open to views, and here you have the most beautiful view in the world, you have tough and sporty people”, President Milanović stated, adding that Split is changing, living and thriving. “This city is definitely special. And if it weren’t for Smoje, to whom you dedicated this year, my experience of Split and what Split is, would have been mediated to me through a much more modest medium. Smoje je my understanding and my experience of Split alike”, the President told the gathering.

Also addressing the special session in addition to President Milanović were the President of Split City Council Željko Domazet, the Mayor of Split Ivica Puljak, and the apostolic administrator of the Archiodiocese of Split-Makarska Msgr. Želimir Puljić.

Split City Day is celebrated on 7 May, the feast of the patron Saint Domnius. The special session of Split City Council was held for this occasion, and on the eve of the feast of Saint Domnius, awards were presented to laureates, lifetime achievement awards, including individual and collective awards.

Alongside President Milanović was the Adviser to the President for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan