Minister Grabar-Kitarović participated in Vukovar at 2nd Presentation of Program on Return and Housing of Refuges and Displaced Persons

Welcoming speeches were held by Vukovarsko-srijemska Božo Galić and Mayor of Vukovar Zdenka Buljan. Opening speeches were held by Minister Grabar-Kitarović, Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia Jorge Fuentes, and representative of the Serbian minority and SDSS representative at the Croatian Parliament, Vojislav Stanimirović.

In her speech, Minister Grabar-Kitarović pointed out that the return of all of the Croatian refugees who wish to return and the permanent housing of all of the returnees are among the Croatian Government’s priorities. “The Government has proven this on numerous occasions, in both domestic and foreign policy – by signing the Sarajevo Declaration on the return of the refugees with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, and through long-standing successful co-operation with international organisations and the international community, with which a regular mechanism of implementation consultations has been set up”, said Minister Grabar-Kitarović.

“In overcoming its war heritage, Croatia, together with its neighbours, wishes to turn to the future we all see in the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective of the region”, said Minister Grabar-Kitarović.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović stressed that the process of refugee and property return, as well as the reconstruction, is in its final phase, adding that the budget allocations invested in the return of refugees and displaced persons so far totals 29 bil. kunas, which confirms the dedication to finish as shortly as possible the processes directly linked to the return and place and emphasis on the issues of development.

In her speech, Minister Grabar-Kitarović noted that today’s presentation in Vukovar is the second of the planned five visits to the areas of special state concern, whose aim is to present concrete programs and measures through which the Government is stimulating sustainable return of its citizens.

The relevant representatives from the Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development present concrete measures and efforts the Government is undertaking in housing, while the representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Central State Office for Administration explain the proportional employment of the minority members in state administration and justice.

During the visit to Vukovar, Minister Grabar-Kitarović and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia paid homage at the Memorial Cemetery of the Homeland War Victims.