Speaking about the reopened issue of nationality of the Bunjevci community in the Backa region, Vidis said that Croatia considered that community an integral part of the Croat people, which had its unique traits as did Croat minorities in other countries.
"However, if part of that community does not consider itself Croat and insists on being treated as a separate ethnic entity, it is its right to claim so because nationality is a subjective feeling," the consul said.
The issue of nationality of the Bunjevci community, which inhabits northern Vojvodina, has been reopened by reports saying that the language of the Bunjevci community would be taught in schools as of next school year.
This initiative of the Bunjevci National Council, which gathers members of that community who deny their Croat origin, was described by the Croat community as the continuation of efforts to cause division within the Croat community in Vojvodina.