During his working visit to Argentina, Minister Gordan Grlić Radman visited Ushuaia on March 7, 2024, where he met with members of the Croatian community and later with the Governor of the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, Gustavo Adrián Melella.
The minister addressed the gathered audience at the Croatian House in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina and the world.
“You have been here since 1890, and your role in the development of this city is strong and fundamental, contributing to the industrial sector, timber industry, education, and culture. Croatians and their descendants have successfully integrated into Argentine society and truly become a bridge between Argentina and Croatia. Despite being over 13,500 kilometers away from Croatia, you preserve Croatian tradition and nurture ties with your roots in the Croatian House,” Grlić Radman emphasized.
He then thanked them for their efforts in preserving the Croatian cultural identity and language of their ancestors. The minister highlighted how the Croatian government supports the work of all communities in Argentina through the allocation of financial resources and funding for various projects aimed at preserving the national identity and the Croatian language.
Grlić Radman then awarded Croatian citizenships, underlining the Croatian government’s encouragement for the decision to return to Croatia, but stands firm with Croatian in their second homeland. Alongside existing diplomatic-consular representations, the minister emphasized the importance of promoting the opening of additional honorary consulates, a desire expressed by Croatians of Tierra del Fuego, which this government will certainly pursue.
During a meeting with Vice Governor Monica Urquiza, Grlić Radman highlighted Croatia’s desire to strengthen comprehensive ties with Argentina, including economic relations.
“In this regard, the Croatian community in Argentina plays a crucial role as an additional bridge of cooperation between the two countries. Negotiations between Croatia and Argentina on a Cooperation Agreement in tourism are significant, as it will provide a legal framework for further strengthening our relations in this economic sector,” the minister concluded.
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