President Milanović in Solin: Let Us Be Aware that We Are Building Croatia for the Whole Next Generation
On the occasion of the Feast of the Birth of Mary and Solin Municipal Day, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended the special session of the Town of Solin Municipal Council. Addressing the special session, he talked about the town’s successful development, and stated that “Solin doesn’t depend on tourism, but has benefited from tourism”.
“I see that there is understanding among you, which is very important in small communities. I also see that in this part of Dalmatia, in terms of distribution of the local power, all sides have got their share of it: the independent, the HDZ, the SDP, there’s a bit of everything in Split, Makarska, Omiš, Solin all of you together are fighting for EU funds”, the President told the residents of Solin. In his view that is the only measure of genuine success and the only criterion for assessing our work, life and activities in the European funds. “All that enthusiasm, ideas, idealism are behind us. Ahead of us is a new financial period in which all together we must absorb every euro that is actually ours. And that starts with you, with the assistance of the state,” President Milanović noted.
He recalled the time twenty years ago saying that the prospects and expectations were different. “And then 9/11 occurred, soon it’ll be the twentieth anniversary, and the world has slid into another direction. In 2000 I didn’t see it and couldn’t imagine that it would develop as it did. We’re staying where we are, the Croatian nation in its small and special state. It developed like every small nation through its trials and tribulations, with the enthusiasm that inspired us, our ancestors, in periods in which we didn’t even know who and what we are. All of that had to be miraculously unified, assembled, and pushed forward. It is a procedure that lasted long and its complexity was ultimately evident a few days ago in Cetinje in Montenegro. A nation develops throughout the generations”, the President stated.
“Let us preserve our nation and unity, live in peace and understanding with our neighbours as well as with our compatriots of different faith and different political convictions. Let us be aware that we are building Croatia for the whole next generation, with our membership in the European Union we have given up a significant part of our sovereignty, for which our defenders, our heroes laid down their lives. That is a huge debt, we have to manage this reasonably and in our own interest as you preserve your town or your family, selfishly. That’s how Croatia has to be preserved and managed. Bring enthusiasm, love and respect into your work”, President Milanović concluded.
A wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to the fallen Croatian defenders at Our Lady’s Island (Gospin otok) preceded the special session. Alongside President Milanović was the Adviser of the President for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas