Plenković’s first stop was the cemetery, where from 1944 to 1946 a complex of refugee camps housed around 30,000 refugees from Dalmatia, evacuated by the British army. More than 850 Croatian refugees were buried there. The Croatian government restored the memorial cemetery in 2006.
"This is an important chapter in the relations between Croatia and Egypt, as well as in the memory of our people in Dalmatia, who came here in the turmoil of World War II. In near-desert conditions, they demonstrated great resilience, strength and determination. That is why we have come today to pay our respects and express our reverence," he said.
After fascist Italy’s surrender in September 1943 and its withdrawal from Dalmatia, Nazi Germany launched an offensive in the region, forcing many residents to flee. Initially, they sought refuge on the island of Vis, a centre of Partisan resistance. Later, with the help of the British Navy, they were transferred to southern Italy, which had recently been liberated.
As Allied forces were still fighting to liberate the rest of Italy, tens of thousands of refugees from areas such as Makarska, Lastovo, Pelješac, Korčula, Hvar, Brač, Vis, Split, Trogir, Šibenik, northern Dalmatia and Lika were transported to Egypt, to the southern side of the Suez Canal, where they were settled in a former British military camp that had been abandoned after the defeat of Axis forces in North Africa.
The refugees described the camp as a barren desert, with no vegetation, animals or any sign of life on the horizon. By 1946, over 30,000 Croatians, mostly women, children and the elderly, had lived there. More than 800 people died, but around 500 children were born in the camp.
On Tuesday, Plenković will meet with Egyptian officials and the secretary-general of the Arab League, attend a Business Forum, and on Wednesday, he will visit Alexandria.
He said the visit was an opportunity to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
"This visit allows us to sign agreements with Egyptian partners. One is a memorandum on cooperation between the Port of Rijeka and Egyptian partners. There's also a cultural cooperation agreement, an investment agreement. We wish to increase the current trade exchange, which stands at around €150 million, by helping Croatian companies, almost 20 of which will attend tomorrow’s business forum, to expand into the Egyptian market," said Plenković.
Croatian and Egyptian officials will also discuss regional stability.
"The most crucial issue is Egypt’s plan to aid in the reconstruction of Gaza. The current Egyptian prime minister was previously minister of construction, minister of housing. He has the experience and expertise to assist in Gaza’s rebuilding. I'm certain this will be one of the key topics tomorrow, so that we understand also the regional perspective on how to solve this major, second key issue in addition to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine," Plenković said.
He is accompanied by Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Mufti Aziz Hasanović, president of the Meshihat of the Islamic Community in Croatia, and a business delegation.