Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, who represented Croatia at the coronation of Charles III in London on Saturday, has expressed hope that good bilateral relations will continue to develop between the UK and Croatia during the reign of the new British monarch.
Grlić Radman wrote on Facebook that it was his special honour to represent Croatia at today's ceremony.
"May the reign of King Charles III be filled with success and the continuation of good relations with Croatia and the Croatian people," the foreign minister said, recalling that Francis, Duke of Teck, who was married into the British royal family and who was grand-grandfather of the new king, had been born in the eastern Croatian city of Osijek.
Grlić Radman also recalled that King Charles III and his wife Camilla had visited Osijek in 2016.
Milanović should have attended coronation of King Charles III
President Zoran Milanović should have attended the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, said Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, who attended the ceremony in London on Saturday instead of the president.
The President's Office said on Friday that the president would not be able to attend because of a defect on the government plane. Instead, Croatia was represented by the foreign minister, who travelled to London on a regular commercial flight.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Grlić Radman said there was no doubt that Milanović should have attended the ceremony and that the president should know his priorities.
"The Constitution says that the President of the Republic represents his country abroad, and he is not doing that," the foreign minister said, adding that Milanović should know what the president's duties are.
Grlić Radman said he had filled in for the president to save the country's reputation. He said he had booked a ticket for a commercial flight after the prime minister called him. "That was no problem," he said and noted that several other presidents had arrived on commercial flights.
Grlić Radman pointed out that "all European presidents" were present at the coronation except Milanović.
The coronation of King Charles III was also an excellent opportunity for bilateral meetings and to represent the national interests, the foreign minister said.
Text: Hina/MVEP
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