1. Most difficult challenge before coming to Slovakia?
As a young sovereign state, Croatia had to build its diplomatic service almost from scratch. Many people from public, cultural and scientific circles were called upon to join the Foreign Service. That is also why I decided to give up my academic career and join the Foreign Ministry 13 years ago. Many of us then received intense diplomatic training, mostly in diplomatic academies in Western Europe. At that time our prime diplomatic task was to establish Croatia as a new member of the international community. The most difficult time was during the war in Croatia. Today however our efforts are aimed primarily at European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
1. Most difficult challenge before coming to Slovakia?
As a young sovereign state, Croatia had to build its diplomatic service almost from scratch. Many people from public, cultural and scientific circles were called upon to join the Foreign Service. That is also why I decided to give up my academic career and join the Foreign Ministry 13 years ago. Many of us then received intense diplomatic training, mostly in diplomatic academies in Western Europe. At that time our prime diplomatic task was to establish Croatia as a new member of the international community. The most difficult time was during the war in Croatia. Today however our efforts are aimed primarily at European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
2. Most exciting aspects of present posting in Slovakia?
I was very happy and pleased to be posted in Slovakia. To my great satisfaction the relations between our two countries have been developing and improving in such a way that today I can call them relations of two partners. The understanding that the Slovak foreign policy has had for Croatia as well as the development of the overall relations makes my work here as something that every diplomat could wish for. Today we are laying a basis for the relations which will even further develop once Croatia enters EU.
3. Issues you feel are most important to address during your tenure as Ambassador in Slovakia?
Croatia has always been part of the Central European area. Slovakia as our strong Central European partner and member of EU and NATO can help Croatia in the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration by conveying its experience from the integration processes. Since Croatia recently started the accession negotiations with EU, the issues related to the negotiation process have become of utmost importance to us.
4. Most significant professional accomplishment?
During 25 years of my professional career I have dealt with various demanding and interesting issues. However, my work on geopolitical issues of Central Europe in relation with Croatia is among my greatest professional challenges but also professional satisfactions.
5. Favourite place in Slovakia?
There are a number of small, well-preserved, historic places in Slovakia. I love coming back to Banska Bistrica, Trnava, Liptovsky Mikulaš, Košice, Bardejov or Skalica. It is a great advantage for Slovakian tourism to have such historic cities.
6. Favourite recreation activity in Bratislava and Slovakia?
In my free time I prefer outdoor activities. Often I walk to Koliba. Mali Karpati and the vicinity of Bratislava offer a variety of nice walking tours, although the paths are not very well marked and kept.
7 Place you call home?
My home is Zagreb. There I was born and spent most of my life. I love Zagreb, its historic centre, beautiful parks and the hills above the city. Although Zagreb is in the Croatian inland, in the city you can feel almost a Mediterranean atmosphere, especially when warm weather comes.
8. One thing you can't live without?
My family and friends.
9. Key to success in life?
Good health, patience and dedication.
10. Favourite author?
Croatian author Miroslav Krleža.
11. Favourite film?
Cabaret
12. Best place you have travelled to?
The Istrian peninsula in Croatia – green, sunny, full of history and culture.
13. What one thing in the world you would like to change and why?
I wish all children and elderly people would get a chance of decent life. For me is very hard to see when the weak and the ill are unprotected, subject to poverty, aggression or neglect.
Priopćenja
