President Milanović in Oklaj: EU money is rarely invested in capital projects that mean a different life
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović today visited Oklaj in the Municipality of Promina, on the occasion of the observance of the Day of Remembrance of Military and Civilian Victims from the Promina area in the Homeland War and the 139th anniversary of the establishment of the Municipality of Promina.
Accompanied by the Head of the Municipality of Promina Tihomir Budanko and Mayor of Knin and envoy of the Šibenik-Knin County Prefect Marijo Ćaćić, President Milanović visited the memorial room in the building of the Municipality of Promina and laid a wreath and lit a candle at the main memorial cross in honour of the defenders and civilians of the Promina area who died in the Homeland War. After the wreath-laying ceremony, the President of the Republic attended a special session of the Municipality of Promina Municipal Council held on the occasion of the 139th anniversary of the municipality’s establishment.
“I am coming here for the second year in a row because I arrived at the conclusion that this place is among the rare places in Croatia that carry a special burden of what happened in the war, for which those who are guilty and responsible were never found – and they never will be, let’s not kid ourselves,” said President Milanović, particularly addressing the families of the fallen Croatian defenders and civilians.
In his comments about the area of Promina, President Milanović described it is a place that exemplifies cooperation, dialogue and a culture that always includes both sides. “I would be happy to see representatives of the ethnic Serb community here, not as bearers of the cross or someone who takes over the burden and responsibility for crimes, but simply as someone who is extending a hand – as we are doing, as I am doing at a series of execution sites of the Serbian people, from small sites to the larger ones. Somehow that would be fair, but unfortunately it’s not happening this year either,” he said.
President Milanović also spoke about Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying that “the brothers and sisters in Bosnia and Herzegovina who were with us and with you when it was most difficult and when Croatia had to be defended should be taken care of in an appropriate and adequate way – when what was defended needed to be liberated, ultimately together with the international community, including those parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina which were of exceptional security and strategic importance for our country at the time.” He again pointed out that Croatia’s role in the war is not being respected today. “It is a question of our interest, but also a question of our reputation, pride and attitude. One who respects oneself takes care of oneself and protects their pride. A being without pride is not a being,” he concluded.
The President commented on EU funds and had words of praise for this area of the country, for its successful absorption of EU funds. “Last year, you talked about EU funds and about 20 million worth of taken funds – I prefer the words “taken,” “used,” and not “withdrawn” because it is our money. 20 million is a huge amount of money, enormous funds. They change lives and standards in such a small community. Many have witnessed that I often mentioned you in the towns and municipalities of Croatia, with the very name of Promina, using it is an example of a small municipality, regardless of who is in power. Here, people function as brothers and sisters,” he said, adding that it is unfortunately a rare example of such success.
“Money from EU funds is rarely invested in large, capital projects that mean a different life, such as the Pelješac Bridge, in which a lot of hopes, illusions, but also the blood and toil of our people and our managers have been invested in the last 15 years and more. The European Union gave us something. It didn’t give us enough, we have to take more, we have to fight for our rights. It’s our money, it’s our bridge. I wish you success and be relentless in taking that money and in fighting the red tape,” President Milanović emphasized.
Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković was alongside President Milanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia/Tomislav Bušljeta