President Milanović in Vir: We’re in the EU to Live Better, to Have Security and Freedom, and Money
On the occasion of Municipal Day of Vir, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended the formal session of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Vir, saying he is overwhelmed with the progress of the community that used to an object of ridicule, and people didn’t even dare say they own a house on the island of Vir. “Money and prices speak oft the value of Vir and how much people appreciate it. That is the only criterion in politics, business and the market”.
“Today Vir is a municipality with high revenues which it manages well, it has profited from property legalization, and the local authorities spend the money as the residents want them to. I can see that you are working in the interest of your residents and they trust you,” the President said, adding that the development and progress of Vir is evident. Moreover, he told them to apply for EU funds underlining that that’s our money.
“We have given enough material things, we have given up enough to enter the European Union. Nevertheless, above all is our homeland, our national state, Croatia. It is the home of all of us, we are all equal citizens, and we are in the European Union to benefit from it, to live better, to have more security and freedom. And yes, ultimately, money”, President Milanović noted. He added that eight years have passed since the Republic of Croatia has become a member of the European Union, that these eight years were difficult and that we’re getting used to it. He also talked about the amount of money that “we have absorbed around HRK 40+ billion HRK”, which sounds like a lot but is actually little.
“We must, and I believe we know how to and will absorb much more money, that opportunity is opening up now with the new financial period in which significant funds will be available to Croatia, as well as funds under the NextGenerationEU plan, a major EU instrument for recovery from the crisis,” the President noted, underlining that we must be aware of how little we have absorbed so far.
“Your agglomeration project is commendable and excellent. One billion HRK for Vir alone. Therefore, let’s join forces. I fully support the Government, the ministries and all of you who are working on this because it is not simple. One has to know how to use that money. It won’t fall from the sky. It takes persistence, knowledge, tactics, craftiness and being oriented on one’s own interests. The European Union is a good thing but we are primarily a national state, the Republic of Croatia. That’s where it all started and what people fought and died for, and no other European state had such a fate,” President Milanović said in concluding his address.
Addressing the gathering at the formal session in addition to President Milanović were the President of the Municipal Council of Vir Antonio Vučetić, the Head of the Municipality Marin Radović, the Head of the Municipality of Privlaka on behalf of the Heads of Municipalities and City Mayors Gašpar Begonja, County Prefect of Zadar County and envoy of the Prime Minister Božidar Longin, and envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and Member of Parliament Rade Šimičević.
Alongside President Milanović was the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek