“We would particularly like to highlight the construction of the Croatian House in Subotica, where we are celebrating Statehood Day today. That project has changed perceptions of the Croatian minority and of everything Croatia is doing and wants to do for Croats in Serbia,” Croatian Consul General Velimir Pleša said.
Addressing around 100 representatives and activists from Croatian institutions and organisations in the Serbian province of Vojvodina, he said the trust shown by the Croatian government “certainly provides additional strength for continuing to improve the position and rights of the Croatian community in Serbia”.
He said he hoped Croats in Serbia would value and respect the Croatian language, the achievements of Croats at home and abroad, and their roots.
“Sing the Croatian anthem proudly and fly the Croatian flag,” he said at the event organised by the Consulate General.
Jasna Vojnić, president of the Croatian National Council, said it was symbolic that this year’s celebration had been held in a venue reflecting Croatia’s increasingly strong institutional and financial support for the Croatian community in Serbia.
“Croatia has invested substantial funds in us in recent years, but what you have shown today is that, in this year of challenges, we must demonstrate great unity,” she said.
She added that Croats in Serbia “are not Croatia’s footnote, but a crucial and important part of it”.