Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Wednesday visited Subotica, where he attended the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the construction of the Croatian House and met with representatives of the Croatian National Council.
“I see the Croatian House as a symbol of Croats living for centuries in Serbia, as well as a symbol of their desire to cherish and develop their identity and culture, and thereby contribute to the cultural, social, economic and overall progress of the country they live in as loyal citizens,” Grlić Radman said. The construction of the Croatian House is founded by the Croatian Government.
The minister underscored the strategic importance of the Croatian House for the activities and status of the Croatian community in Serbia, adding that Croatia strongly supported the community’s desire to realize its rights and actively participate in Serbia’s political and social life. “Croatia will continue to support the Croats in Serbia and highlight the importance of respecting and promoting minority rights, including the rights of Serbs in Croatia, as well as the importance of inclusiveness and the creation of an environment in which minorities could develop their identity and equally and effectively participate in the life of the country,” he said.
“We must not let prejudice, negative stereotypes and hate speech affect our relations. The minorities link our countries and rightfully expect full support both from the country they live in and the country of origin,” Grlić Radman underlined, stressing the importance of the status of minorities in bilateral relations with Serbia, in line with an agreement of 2004.
The three stones that were symbolically laid come from places from which Croats had come to today’s Serbia – the Buna River valley in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central Bosnia and the Republic of Croatia. A time capsule was also buried, saying who laid the foundation stone and when.
Grlić Radman started his visit to Subotica by meeting with representatives of the Croatian National Council and its President Jasna Vojnić, with whom he discussed the status of Croats in Serbia and reiterated Croatia’s support in overcoming the challenges they face.