President Milanović in Slavonski Brod: Forget private matters and deal with those that are public, that is the essence of running public affairs

The President of the Republic attended today a special session of the Slavonski Brod City Council on the occasion of Municipal Day and the Feast of St. John of Nepomuk, the city’s patron saint.

In his address at the special session, the President of the Republic described Slavonski Brod as a peaceful city without scandals, embarrassments and arrests. “Forget private matters and deal with those that are public. That is the essence of running public affairs. This city is an example of good governance. Continue on the same path,” said President Milanović.

The President reflected on the city’s past, saying that it endured a difficult 30 years. “It had a war, it was attacked, children were killed, residents fell in the streets from the bombs and grenades from our enemies of the time,” the President recalled, adding that although Slavonski Brod went through many hardships, people managed to survive and push through.

He then spoke about the importance of European funds. “Use them to the maximum, get the most out of them, take as much as you can, but stick to the rules because you can get into trouble. It’s our money and don’t look at it as a gift from God because there is no God in Brussels. We secured our place in a difficult and bloody way,” said President Milanović.

Concluding his address, the President pointed out that the purpose and meaning of this generation can be found in the hard-fought struggle to build the Croatian state. “Heaven and God, something spiritual, lie beyond that, but the Croatian state is that which is real and tangible here on Earth. Everything else is condiments,” he stated.

Speaking at the special session apart from President Milanović were the President of the Slavonski Brod City Council Stribor Valenta and the Mayor of Slavonski Brod Mirko Duspara. Public recognitions and awards were also presented at the ceremony to the most deserving individuals for their contribution to the city’s development.

President Milanović was accompanied by the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić.

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