The new building near the centre of Subotica will include the headquarters of the Croatian National Council (HNV), the office of "Hrvatska Riječ", the weekly newspaper of the Croat community in Serbia, as well as the Vojvodina Croats Institute of Culture. The facility is expected to be the centre of cultural and social life of the Croatian community in Serbia.
Before the opening, Plenković met with Brnabić, saying that the two countries are trying to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and in a calm atmosphere.
The opening of Croatian House in Subotica is an important step forward for the Croatian minority in Serbia. Anja Šimpraga and Tomislav Žigmanov contribute to improving bilateral relations as members of the two governments. We are trying to resolve outstanding issues in dialogue and a calm atmosphere, Plenković wrote on Twitter.
Plenković visited Croats in Serbia at a time when the relations between the two countries are improving, which began with Tomislav Žigmanov's appointment as minister for human and minority rights in the Serbian government in October 2022. Žigmanov is the president of the Democratic Alliance of Vojvodina Croats (DSHV).
Brnabić said Plenković's visit today and her recent visit to Zagreb gave impetus to better relations. It's important that the two countries have started to intensify their dialogue, which will be important for creating a climate for talks and dealing with outstanding issues, she added.
Plenković arrived for a day-long visit for the opening of Croatian House and to visit the Croatian minority, which began with a meeting with Coadjutor Bishop the Catholic Diocese of Srijem, Fabijan Svalina, in Srijemska Mitrovica.
After visiting Srijemska Mitrovica, the Croatian prime minister went to meet with the leadership of the community in the north of Vojvodina in Subotica.
At Croatian House in Subotica, we had a working meeting with the president of the Croatian National Council (HNV), Jasna Vojnić, the leader of the DSHV party, Tomislav Žigmanov, and representatives of the Croatian minority in Serbia. In a strong partnership, we are realising numerous projects that contribute to a better position of Croats in Serbia, the Croatian prime minister said in a tweet.
He thanked the Croatian community in Srijemska Mitrovica, Coadjutor Bishop Svalina, and representatives of the St. Demetrius parish for taking care of Croatian identity and culture.
The Croatian government provides strong support for Croats in Serbia, the prime minister said on Twitter.
Tonight, he will attend an event marking the Croatian minority's holiday, Bishop Ivan Antunović's Birthday.