The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in coordination with the Croatian Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Trieste, organized with the assistance of the Italian state authorities and the local authorities in the regions of Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto the repatriation of Croatian nationals, most of whom had been stranded in areas under lockdown. On Saturday evening, 28 Croatian and 10 Bosnian nationals arrived in Croatia by bus.
The majority of them were volunteers from the "Naši snovi" (Our Dreams) association for children with special needs, who had requested assistance in returning to Croatia.
Given the severity of the situation and the stringent measures Italy has imposed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the place of stay in certain regions requires multiple clearances from the relevant authorities.
Recently, the Ministry has also organized a repatriation flight from Rome to Zagreb and a catamaran from Ancona to Zadar.
The Ministry would like to thank the Italian authorities for assisting in the return of Croatian nationals. In addition, a number of citizens have left Italy individually, with assistance from the embassy in Rome and consulates in Trieste and Milan.
Through the network of Croatia's diplomatic and consular offices, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will continue repatriating Croatian nationals.