President Milanović Tells Municipal Authorities at Zagreb City Day Ceremony: Be honest, be strict, and don’t let corruption throw a smile at you
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended a ceremony in Zagreb’s Old City Hall on the occasion of Zagreb City Day.
President Milanović opened his address at the event by commenting on his personal relationship with Zagreb: “This is my city, I was born here. My parents weren’t; they were among the many thousands of seekers of happiness and a better life who came from the areas of Dalmatia, the Croatian Littoral and the Croatian islands to their capital city, a city that was the desire and the star for all Croats. This has always been more of a Croatian city than some other capitals of similar, related or somewhat comparable countries. This is a city that has always had, at least for the last 200 years, a Slavic Croatian majority,” said President Milanović.
Pointing out the historical facts, President Milanović emphasized that in its most glorious decades, although it was predominantly Croatian, Zagreb was a city of successful Austrian and German industrialists, officials, soldiers, as well as Serbian merchants and a wealthy and very successful small but relevant Jewish community. “Zagreb was, from an urban perspective and in terms of its population, more European than other cities in Croatia. It was planned and designed nicely, built carefully, gently and elegantly within the possibilities that were great. They are still great today; the city of Zagreb does not need anyone’s alms. Help and cooperation – yes, alms – no,” said President Milanović.
Comparing other similar countries and cities, the President pointed out that Zagreb is wealthy according to the relevant indicators and that it is among the developed cities of the European Union. “I can tell the authorities two things. Be honest, be strict and don’t let corruption throw a smile at you, let alone invite you for a drink. The earthquake in Zagreb damaged the city. However, it is returning to the efforts of its tough and resilient residents, resourceful families, building owners, managers. The Lower Town is Croatia’s pride and a very valuable thing, spiritually and physically, and the reason why people flocked here. The Lower Town is neglected and you have a historic opportunity to change that and make this town beautiful. Refurbish the Lower Town, that’s the biggest challenge,” the President of the Republic told the guests at the ceremony.
He also called on the authorities to fight for every euro available from European funds: “There are a lot of euros, and when we collect them then we will understand how the EU benefited us. Smart communities, smart societies and wise policies keep a balance and calculate pragmatism all the time.” President Milanović ended his address by extending his congratulations on Zagreb City Day.
Apart from President Milanović, addresses at the ceremony were also given by the President of the City of Zagreb Assembly Joško Klisović, Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and envoy of the Croatian Prime Minister Davor Filipović, and envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament MP Mario Kapulica.
At the ceremony held on Zagreb City Day, accolades were presented to this year’s laureates by the Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević and the President of the City of Zagreb Assembly Joško Klisović. The Zagrepčanka godine women’s award was bestowed as well, upon Ms. Sanja Bezbradica Jelavić.
Adviser to the President of the Republic for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić was alongside President Milanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek