President Milanović Receives Delegation from Kolan Municipality and Pag Cheese Producers Association

17. July 2025.
14:18

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović today received the Head of the Municipality of Kolan and representatives of the Pag Cheese Producers Association from the island of Pag.

The Head of the Municipality of Kolan Šime Gligora informed President Milanović about preparations for the 9th Cheese Festival, which will take place on the last Friday of August under the patronage of the President of the Republic. The festival brings together producers of certified Pag cheese, which holds a Protected Designation of Origin. Pag cheese is one of Croatia’s most recognizable products and the recipient of numerous national and international awards, emphasized Association President Martina Pernar Škunca and Secretary Branimir Čemeljić.

The Association is dedicated to preserving and promoting authentic Pag cheese, they said. The Protected Designation of Origin confirms that the cheese originates from a specific region and that its unique qualities and characteristics are intrinsically linked to that geographical area. The label also guarantees that every stage of production, processing, and preparation takes place on the island of Pag, using traditional methods and local resources, it was noted at the meeting.

There are 64 registered family farms and two dairies in the Municipality of Kolan, all of which showcase their products at the festival, whose primary goal is to promote and preserve the tradition of Pag cheese production. According to the Association, around 150 tons of certified Pag cheese are produced on the island each year.

President Milanović was accompanied at the meeting by his Special Adviser for the Economy Velibor Mačkić.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić