President Milanović in Trogir: The nation is and must remain the fundamental block and binding force of the European Union
Speaking on Friday at the formal session of the Trogir Town Council, President of the Republic Zoran Milanović stated that a modern and open nation of free people conscious of their tradition must remain the fundamental building block and binding block of the European Union, warning that ideas of a “great European empire” and a common army represent dangerous and risky experimentation.
Participating in the celebration of Trogir Day and the feast of the town’s patron saint St. John of Trogir, President Milanović emphasised that real life always takes place locally and that European issues should be approached with a “cool head”, without excessive emotion and olely on the basis of interest and agreed rules. “The nation – a modern and open nation of free people, yet conscious of their tradition – is and must remain the fundamental building block and binding block of the European Union. Everything else is simply frivolous and risky experimentation,” the President pointed out.
Speaking about the future of the European project, President Milanović declared himself in favour of a “Europe of nations,” and not in favour of a nationalist, sectarian, or closed Europe. He described aspirations to create a common defence policy and a European army as adventurist. “There is nothing more intimate, more deeply internal than something like an army, specifically the Croatian defenders. That experience which Croatia carries from thirty years ago is not carried by any other nation, said President Milanović, emphasising that this experience makes Croatia different than others. “We are different; not better, not worse – just different. And that is why European issues must truly be approached with a cool head. Without too much emotion, exclusively on the basis of interests and some agreed rules of conduct. Everything else is adventurism,” the President believes.
He also reflected on current global circumstances, assessing that we live in turbulent and noisy times, as well as the “waning of a system” that rested upon “force, dominancy, technology, and even the appeal of western states to which the world deferred.” In such an environment, the President believes, Croatia should make its contribution to peace by “not pushing itself too far into places where it does not belong,” until the larger actors reach an agreement among themselves.
Congratulating the citizens of Trogir on Trogir Day, President Milanović also commented on local circumstances, noting that positive strides are visible in Trogir, yet warning against the excessive reliance of the town and this part of Croatia on tourism and the openness that this economic sector entails. He stated that it would be beneficial for Trogir and Croatia to develop other areas of expertise and competitive advantages which would make them stronger relative to other European towns and states, while preserving the awareness of their local identity and openness to the world.
In addition to President Milanović, speeches at the formal session were delivered by the Trogir Town Council President Toni Zulim, Mayor of Trogir Ante Bilić, Head of the Administrative Department for General Administration of Split-Dalmatia County and Envoy of the County Prefect Josip Matković, and Member of the Croatian Parliament and Envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Danica Baričević. Annual awards and recognitions were presented to the most deserving individuals and associations for their contributions to the town’s development.
President Milanović was accompanied by the Head of the Office of the President Orsat Miljenić, Head of the Cabinet of the President Bartol Šimunić, and Adviser to the President for Local and Regional Government Relations Nikša Peronja.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas