President of the Republic in Jelsa: Hvar Has Great Resources and Good People
The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović attended on Friday a formal session of the Jelsa Municipal Council on the island of Hvar. Extending his congratulations to Jelsa residents and guests on the occasion of Municipal Day, President Milanović said that he has been following developments in Jelsa and on Hvar for more than twenty years and that progress is clearly visible.
Responding to questions from journalists on the current situation with coronavirus in Croatia and the work of the response team of the national Civil Protection Directorate, the President of the Republic emphasized in his press statement: “I did not criticize the response team, I was only talking about the legal framework for its work and I will continue to do so.” He added that people must make a living from doing something, without endangering their lives and their survival, and concluded that this is exactly what is now happening. “Tourism did not underperform, the season is above expectations and 830,000 people came to Croatia, which is a little less than usual but still an awful lot for a small country such as ours, with almost all tourists staying on the Adriatic. I don’t see people falling on the streets, mowed down by disease. What I mean to say is that half a year has passed and we have learned our lessons well. We have learned how to behave, we must tacticise and that’s not a bad thing. People need to make a living somehow.”
Commenting on the possibility of an economic crisis in the fall, President Milanović said that a downturn is certain and that the budget would need to be revised. “This [tourist] season, which is above expectations, will improve things somewhat. However, we know in advance that the economic downturn in Croatia and in most European countries will be serious and we will live with that. Considering that there is no war, no plague, this is one misfortune we will cope with successfully,” said the President of the Republic.
Speaking at the formal session of the Jelsa Municipal Council, the President of the Republic said the following: “This is a land where the sun always shines, a land one need not disturb too much. One must give it the mechanisms to look after itself and it will succeed. This island, which has great resources and clearly good people, does not need too much state aid; it needs clear policies and people will take care of themselves. Jelsa has made incredible progress in the last twenty years. It was a nice, charming small town lacking a bit of an urban touch, which it has acquired in the last twenty years without losing its authenticity, beauty and small-town spirit – that is what attracts people here.”
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan