Ethnic Croat community in Montenegro marks its day

Ethnic Croats in Montenegro on Friday marked the day of the Croat people in that county in memory of 13 January 809 when the relics of St. Tryphon were transferred to the coastal city of Kotor.
 
That day is observed as an important historical event for the cultural and national identity of the Croats in Boka Kotorska Bay (the Bay of Kotor), said Croatia's Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, who today attended the ceremonies marking this day.
 
Addressing the ceremonies which were held in the coastal town of Tivat, Grlić Radman said that Croatia's delegation had arrived for the ceremonies in Tivat and Kotor to express support to local Croats in Montenegro.
 
He added that Zagreb supports Montenegro's efforts to be integrated in European institutions.
 
We appreciate the multicultural character of Montenegro and our actions and dialogue are aimed at making sure that Montenegrin Croats can enjoy an even better status, said the minister.
 
He also underscored that Croatia also needs a stable neighbour.
 
If our neighbourhood is not stable, then it can be a big problem, he said, adding that the Western Balkan region is now serving as a training ground for geo-strategic rivalries.
 
The Day of the Croat People is an occasion to recall all the achievements in promoting the status of the Croats in Montenegro and the long existence of this autochtonous people in this area as well as our contribution to building an independent and civic Montenegro and preserving the values of multiculturalism, said Zvonimir Deković, president of the Croat National Council in Montenegro.
 
The Croatian flag was displayed today outside the municipal buildings in Tivat and Kotor.
 
The Croatian flag is on the mast year-round outside the "Josip Marković" culture centre in Donja Lastva, where the main offices of the Croat National Council are situated.
 
Text: Hina

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