Present at the start of the three-day convention were about 80 deputies from 30 countries, officials of the Croatian government and parliament, and Roman Catholic dignitaries.
During his keynote speech, HSK president Simun Sito Coric voiced satisfaction with the fact that representatives of the Croatian Diaspora would be able to meet with Croatia's top officials and Church dignitaries in the coming days. He also expressed conviction that the Diaspora would be glad and the homeland could benefit from being informed about its expatriates better.
Coric added that he could not be satisfied with the homeland's treatment of the Diaspora.
With regard to verbal statements, the treatment of the Diaspora has been very good all these years, but from the practical point of view it has been unsatisfactory, he said.
Foreign Ministry State Secretary Gordan Bakota told the gathering that "the current government is taking care about Croatian expatriates", and called on patience and further cooperation.
"This government will continue to work persistently on the accomplishments of its goals, Croatia's entry into the European Union and NATO, and on the promotion of the Croatian truth in the world, including the truth about the Homeland Defence War," in which the HSK can help much, Bakota said.
The HSK was established in 1993 as an umbrella no-profit-making, nongovernmental and nonpartisan organisation of Croatian expatriates' associations in 30 countries all over the world.