President Milanović Attends Celebration of Day of the City of Križevci
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended the formal session of the City of Križevci Municipal Council meeting, which was held in the large auditorium of the Croatian Home on the occasion of the Municipality Day celebration. Public recognitions were bestowed upon deserving citizens of the City of Križevci, which is celebrating its 769th birthday.
In congratulating the citizens of Križevci on their Municipality Day, President Milanović told them that he has been visiting Križevci for more than thirty years and recently has seen progress, the city that has become livelier and more attractive.
“This building has always fascinated me and I always wondered what it was, it’s my first time in it”, President Milanović said about the Croatian Home and hoped that the building will be renovated in terms of its “structure and exterior aesthetics. I hope you will make use of every Croatian “lipa” and every cent from European funds because the meaning of our stay and our life in the European Union is first of all the funds”, the President stated. He added that many years have passed since Croatian independence has been attained and that Croatia is now where it should be. “However, our success is primarily measured by the amount of grants we access. We’re not in the European Union for someone in Brussels or other power centre to tell us what to do. We think that we know best, but some things are best done together and that’s the logic of the European Union”, President Milanović remarked.
“The European Union is abstract and we have to keep telling people that it’s a good thing”, the President said, adding that we see numerous examples in Europe as a remote power centre where some unknown, rich and very well paid people decide what we have to do. “As politicians we have to avert and prevent such interpretations. We need as much trust and communication as possible even in the case of national programmes of reconstruction and projects, which I think the Government should make public, in its interest. Simply, public trust – that’s my view on this”, President Milanović concluded.
Addressing the gathering besides President Milanović, were the Koprivnica-Križevci County prefect Darko Koren, the Mayor of the City of Križevci Mario Rajn and the president of the Municipal Council of the City of Križevci Marko Katanović. Academician Ferdo Bašić, honorary citizen of Križevci, addressed the audience on behalf of all the recipients.
Attending the formal session of the Day of the City of Križevci alongside President MIlanović was the Adviser to the President for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas