Response of the Office of the President to Query by the Conflict of Interest Commission

The Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia has received yesterday, on 24 August 2020 a query by the Conflict of Interest Commission in regard to the visit of the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović to the Republic of Albania on 12 and 13 August 2020, which took place at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama.

Due to public interest, below we have posted the response of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia to the Conflict of Interest Commission.

Dear Sir or Madam,

In order to affirm the relevant facts, we hereby provide you with information about the Croatian President’s visit to Albania.

The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović visited Albania on 12 and 13 August 2020, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama.

The visit of the President of the Republic of Croatia took place as part of his presidential duties. We hereby note that on all visits, and especially his visits to foreign officials, the President of the Republic of Croatia always represents the Republic of Croatia.

As in all other cases when the President of the Republic of Croatia travels, the travel costs that are related to the transport of the President of the Republic are covered from the state budget. As far as the costs of accommodation are concerned, the President of the Republic of Croatia stayed in the official residence of the Republic of Albania at the invitation of his host, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania.

Zoran Milanović did not provide any consulting services to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania. The President has said this publicly on several occasions.