"The government has tasked the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property to submit a request to the Municipality of Tivat on behalf of the government for the transfer of the right to use the Josip Marković Cultural Centre, after which an intergovernmental agreement will be signed with the Republic of Croatia," the press release said.
The Montenegrin government says that a special national but also public interest of Montenegro is reflected in the affirmation and preservation of the identity of the Croatian minority, which is an integral part of Montenegrin society.
The Montenegrin government is committed to ensuring appropriate conditions for the preservation and development of the identity, cultural and linguistic wealth of the Croatian community, the press release said.
The Croatian minority, it was added, thus gains a modern and appropriate place for gathering and promoting cultural events and preserving its heritage.
The Montenegrin government underscored that on this, as well as on all other issues of common interest, Montenegro and Croatia would continue to conduct an open and constructive dialogue, through intensive diplomatic cooperation and friendly relations, in the spirit of shared European values and goals.
The Cultural Centre houses the headquarters of the Croatian National Council in Montenegro, the Radio Dux in the Croatian language, and the Croatian Library "Ljudevit Gaj".
In 1922, the Croats of Tivat built with their own funds the Croatian Reading Room, which today bears the name of the Josip Marković Cultural Centre, and they have renovated it twice since then.