President Milanović: the European Union will never be a state

“The European Union will never be a state, and let’s not get carried away that it is a state, because the differences between the member states are indescribable. The EU can never be a nation or a state, no matter how much bureaucrats preach about it. However, we should be as good as possible to our neighbours,” the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović said in Čakovec today, where he participated in Municipality Day celebrations.

Congratulating the leadership of the City of Čakovec on Municipality Day and wishing them the next four successful years in governing the city, President Milanović in his address told them to prepare well and apply for European funds. “Collect as much as possible because it is our money. As a state, we have given and given up a lot from our natural, original, state right to be a member of the European Union. We no longer conduct many policies at all, which is not good, but the benefits still outweigh them,” President Milanović believes.

“Nations are a miracle, states are created in extraordinary circumstances. Unfortunately, very often in tragic and difficult circumstances, and Croatia has paid its price, more than any modern European nation in the last fifty years. This should be respected and constantly remembered,” the President emphasized.

Finally, President Milanović said that the successes, results of work and the state in which Čakovec finds itself are self-evident. “Everything is functioning excellently, getting better and better and there is no reason not to continue like this. But Međimurje has always fascinated me as a Croatian synthesis. Čakovec and Međimurje are like a synthesis of the south and north of Croatia,” said the President, explaining that he was referring to the role of the Croatian nobles Zrinski, who ruled in Čakovec, and who originally came from the heart of Dalmatia.

Speaking at the ceremony in addition to President Milanović were the president of Čakovec City Council in the previous session Josip Varga, the mayor of Čakovec Ljerka Cividini, member of the Croatian Parliament and mayor of Koprivnica Mišel Jakšić, and Međimurje County-Prefect Matija Posavec.  Annual public recognitions were presented to the most deserving individuals and organizations for their contribution to the development of the city.

After Čakovec, President Milanović visited Varaždin where he held a working meeting with the mayor of the City of Varaždin Neven Bosilj and deputy mayor Miroslav Marković and, in the company of representatives of the city administration, he toured the renovated City Council chamber.

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