President Milanović Meets with Representatives of Croats in Montenegro

Ahead of the summit of heads of state of the Brdo-Brijuni Process, being held in Tivat, Montenegro, the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović met today in Donja Lastva with representatives of associations of Croats in Montenegro. The meeting addressed the status of Croats in Montenegro and the problems which the Croatian national community in Montenegro face.

The representatives of associations thanked President Milanović for his visit as it demonstrates “the support of the Croatian state which means a lot to us”, said Zvonimir Dekanović, president of the Croatian National Council of Montenegro. At the meeting it was emphasized that Croats in Montenegro are “a small, but vital community”, and it is especially important for them that they have the constant support of Croatian authorities regardless of their political affiliation.

At the meeting, they once again warned President Milanović about the unresolved status of the “Josip Marković“ Cultural Centre in Donja Lastva, which is the principal meeting place of the Croatian community in Montenegro. Zvonimir Dekanović recalled that two years ago there was an attempt to evict the Croats from the Cultural Centre, which, as he emphasized, they refused because the Croats are historically and emotionally attached to that space, where Croatian associations have been active since the beginning of the last century.

Adrian Vuksanović, president of the Croatian Civic Initiative and Member of Parliament of Montenegro, also informed President Milanović of the positive changes in the political status of Croats in Montenegro. He noted the successes of the community, including a return to the Parliament of Montenegro and the local elections in Kotor, which demonstrates the strength of the community. Moreover, he is grateful for the support of the Republic of Croatia, stressing unity in preserving the Croatian identity in Montenegro.

President Milanović expressed his support to Croats in Montenegro in achieving minority rights, and announced that he would commit himself to resolving the problems related to the Croatian Cultural Centre in Donja Lastva. President Milanović thanked the representatives of associations on their efforts in preserving the identity and the rights of Croats in Montenegro, and pledged to continue advocating the rights of the Croatian community through diplomatic channels and cooperation with Montenegrin authorities.

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