- Published: 20.03.2024.
Grlić Radman inaugurates Croatian Consulate in Liège, headed by honorary consul
The opening was also attended by the Mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer, and District Commissioner Catherine Delcourt. This is the second consulate of the Republic of Croatia headed by an honorary consul in Belgium, following the one in Bruges in Flanders.
According to data from the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, the Croatian diaspora in the Kingdom of Belgium currently numbers around 7,000, of which unofficial estimates suggest up to 3,500 reside in Wallonia.
“I am pleased that symbolically, during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are opening this consulate, which not only marks a new chapter in our good diplomatic relations but also reaffirms the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between our peoples,” the minister emphasized.
He stressed that the Croatian diaspora has a long history in Wallonia dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and their contributions from all walks of life have enriched our nations and laid the foundation for strong ties. For example, the Croatian Catholic Mission in Liège played an important role in preserving the Croatian identity, faith, and culture of the Croatian diaspora during Yugoslavia.
“The establishment of this consulate reflects our commitment to deepening our ties with the dynamic local community and further strengthening the bilateral relations between Croatia and Belgium. Its purpose is clear: to promote and deepen the beneficial cooperation between Croatia and Wallonia,” Grlić Radman concluded.