Due to several untruths that were published, the Ministry wishes to point out several facts. The procedure for establishing the consulate in Uruguay was initiated in 2001 and was conducted in a regular way before the Croatian Government and the President's Office. On 3 April 2003, a proposal was referred form the Foreign Ministry on the appointment of Mr. Eduard Antolić as Honorary Consul to the Croatian Government which was confirmed on 4 April 2003. This decision was approved by the Croatian President on 24 November 2003. This clearly shows that the procedure was initiated long before the elections and that insinuation that this appointment was made intentionally before the change of Government is unfounded. Further, Minister Picula has no authority to appoint Honorary Consuls, but only to nominate them.
It is also important to note that Honorary Consuls do not receive monetary compensation for their work, that they bear the costs of the Consulate's activities by themselves and their function primarily refers to the development of cultural and consular relations. It concerns persons who enjoy a reputation in the receiving country and who, by their work and the relation to the Republic of Croatia, guarantee good performance of duties they were assigned.
The same article states the appointment of Mr. Ivan Bandić as General Consulate to Hungary, whose proposal the Foreign Minister forwarded to the Croatian Government on 7 July 2003. On 10 July, the Government confirmed this proposal and the Croatian Parliament gave a positive opinion. The fact that the Croatian President adopted the decision on appointment on 24 November is purely a coincidence, as all previous actions were conducted in accordance with regulations.
From the above stated facts, it may be clearly concluded that the article is full of incomplete information and half-truths and that any insinuations cited thereof are completely ungrounded.