President Milanović: We are living in weeks and years of violence and violation of international law and norms

“We are living in weeks and years of violence, barbarism, violation and contempt for international law and norms, and this coming from some who like to invoke them the most. Times are terrible. In these times, perhaps for the first time in history, Croatia enjoys the benefits of its position, fortunate to be in a relatively peaceful and safe place”, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović stated today at a special session of the Vela Luka Municipal Council on the occasion of Municipality Day and the Feast of St. Joseph.

In his address, President mentioned an episode which he says formed him as a man and a politician. The former Greben shipyard in Vela Luka was given the opportunity to construct patrol boats for Libya in 2003 which was then under UN sanctions. The construction project was abandoned due to pressure, Croatia lost that job, and when the sanctions were lifted a few months later, the shipbuilding job was given to France, which was the one who had most persistently urged Croatia to abandon the construction, the President reminded.

“I learned a lot from that. This episode really taught me how to look at sweet talk and big phrases in relationships between people and politicians, especially states, and how to be guided by one golden principle, which is: look after yourself and be selfish when it comes to the state”, President Milanović noted.

“Gaddafi was later assassinated, the government collapsed, and migrants from those shores that used to be controlled by the Bedouin dictator started coming to Europe”, he added, and said that for this reason Croatia today “should consider its interest, primarily listen to itself, not allow itself to be fooled by any grand phrases and slogans about solidarity with anyone, about help to this one or that one, to be careful not to betray certain fundamental human principles, tenets, and assumptions – this should be the guiding principle for Croatia”.

“Croatia, as seldom in history, has the opportunity to look at itself, its work, and make decisions exclusively from that perspective. And to hope that this storm, and this time of evil, will pass, that better times and more peaceful and reasonable moments will come. And until then, let’s stick together,” President Milanović concluded.

Addressing the special session in addition to President Milanović were the President of the Municipal Council of Vela Luka, Zoran Manestar; the Head of the Municipality of Vela Luka, Katarina Gugić, and Dubrovnik-Neretva County-Prefect, Blaž Pezo. Annual awards were presented to the most deserving individuals and organizations for their contribution to the development of the Municipality.

Ahead of the special session of the Vela Luka Municipal Council on the occasion of Municipality Day and the Feast of St. Joseph, President Milanović attended a cultural and artistic programme presented by the Narodna glazba Vela Luka and the Vela Luka Majorettes Association in front of the Vela Luka Primary School building.

Alongside President Milanović were the Head of the Office of the President, Orsat Miljenić, and the Adviser to the President for Local and Regional Self-Government Relations, Nikša Peronja.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan