Prompted by a growing public interest and as a follow-up to yesterday’s press release, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs would like to add the following:
- The Ministry distances itself from any statements or behaviour marked by xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, regardless of who it is coming from or their rank in the diplomatic hierarchy.
- According to the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, interfering into internal affairs of the receiving state, which includes comments on the receiving state’s officials, is unacceptable. Diplomats are sent abroad to strengthen the reputation of the Republic of Croatia, not to harm its image and cause political damage.
- Diplomats are well aware that whatever they do privately or in their free time can and does have to do with their diplomatic job. The right to a different opinion and freedom of expression cannot mean that the Croatian Constitution and other laws as well as international conventions can be disrespected. People who have chosen the diplomatic calling accept the responsibility of representing their country and all institutions and people of their homeland abroad during their diplomatic mandate both officially and privately and they are supposed to adhere to the official policy of the Republic of Croatia. In that regard, the rules regulating the rights and obligation of the Croatian Foreign Service employees are perfectly clear.
- The Republic of Croatia advocates and implements fighting against all forms of intolerance and degradation on all levels.
As the public already knows, the procedure to establish all the relevant facts is under way.