President Milanović: Yes, the level of preparedness and caution should be raised, but we must not put a stop to normal life
“Yes, we need to be cautious in Croatia and raise the level of preparedness and caution, but not the threat level. It is in line with the expression ‘never be too cautious’, but we must not put a stop to the normal life we are accustomed to without just cause. In that space some kind of balance should be kept”, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović told journalists in Tirana when asked if the level of caution should be raised in Croatia due to recent events in Europe such as the terrorist attack in Belgium.
“According to reports we have at this time, this was an act carried out by an ISIL follower. We must be aware that not all events of this type are connected to events in Palestine. ISIL never highlighted the Palestine issue as an important issue for them – they are interested in an Islamic state”, President Milanović stated, adding that “it seems to be a reaction to the demonstrative, ritual burning of the Quran in Sweden, which was acquiesced by the government”. “I understand them in this matter, that’s Swedish political culture, although I have no idea what our position would be in that situation. Probably slightly more conservative and more cautious than the Swedes”, he noted.
In his view, efforts should be made to talk about such things more rationally. As for the conflict in Israel and Palestine, he is committed to an objective and balanced approach.
“A few days ago I said what I did say, and part of the Israeli administration reacted very rudely and impudently. I understand them, their situation is not easy, but the rules are the same for everyone. Many more people later said the same and the Irish Prime Minister before me”, the President reminded, and added that all these years he kept quiet about everything Israel was doing and with his silence actually approved those actions. “Not that I have the right, but the obligation to say this for the sake of the Croats, the Croatian people and state”, he underlined.
As a journalist mentioned the Israeli flag flying on the building of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, President Milanović repeated his positon on the flag: “According to hierarchy, the Croatian flag is flown on Croatian buildings and institutions, then subordinately all others that are lower in the hierarchy – the flag of the European Union and NATO. Therefore, that was unnecessary, the vast majority of Croatian citizens don’t support this and that’s why it shouldn’t be done. I don’t think it put Croatian citizens in danger because then a large part of the EU is in danger, and I don’t think it is”.
President Milanović once again underlined that “what the fighters for Palestine liberation are fighting is acceptable, but the methods are not”. “I condemned these actions and will continue to do so, but I also ask that the rules be the same for everyone and that they are applied consistently”, President Milanović said in his statement to the media in Tirana in the scope of his State visit.