President Milanović Meets Representatives of Croats in Montenegro

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović, who is on a working visit to Montenegro today, met with the representatives of Croats in Montenegro. The meeting took place in the “Josip Marković” Cultural Centre in Donja Lastva.

“We discussed all topics, as well as the political and economic situation in Montenegro. I am glad that the property issue regarding the “Josip Marković” Cultural Centre has been resolved, that it has been ceded to the Croatian state, and that Croats in Montenegro will continue to use this building in the future. That was an open issue. I am sure that the Croatian state will now also invest in the Cultural Centre,” said President Milanović after the meeting.

“We also spoke about the situation of Croats in Montenegro, how their position could be improved, and how they can contribute to the good relations between the two countries as loyal and self-aware citizens of Montenegro. For me, as well as for everyone in Croatia involved in state affairs, it is important to have an interlocutor in Montenegro, people with whom we can speak in a normal tone. That we have with most countries in the region, but not with each and every,” the President added.

The meeting with President Milanović was attended by Zvonimir Deković, President of the Croatian National Council of Montenegro; Adrijan Vuksanović, Member of the Parliament of Montenegro and President of the Croatian Civic Initiative in Montenegro; Darko Perić, Vice President of the Croatian National Council of Montenegro; Aleksandar Bijelić, Member of the Croatian National Council of Montenegro; Kristina Janović, Member of the Croatian National Council of Montenegro; and Tanja Grabić, Member of the Croatian National Council of Montenegro and Editor in Chief of “Radio Dux Tivat.”

The “Josip Marković” Cultural Center was founded in 1922 thanks to the Croats from Donja Lastva. Today, it is one of the most important institutions of Croats in Montenegro. The Cultural Centre was gifted to the Croatian community in Montenegro in 2025 as a testament of friendship, as well as willingness for dialogue and resolving open issues between the Republic of Croatia and Montenegro. These include the status and rights of the Croatian national minority in Montenegro.

After meeting the representatives of the Croatian minority in Montenegro, the President of the Republic is attending the formal reception on the occasion of the country’s Statehood Day at the Residence of the President of Montenegro this evening.

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