"In my campaign I said and believe that Zagreb cannot be the only centre of Croatia because Croatia has to take account of developing its cities and this is an example, to relocate the Office of the President here in Split," the President said at the opening.
She underscored that the temporary relocated office would contribute to Croatia's decentralisation and equal development of all Croatian regions, expressing hope that this symbolic gesture would inspire the government, parliament and ministries "to consider their decentralisation and to spread out throughout all Croatian regions."
She announced that the President's office would relocate to other areas of Croatia too, mentioning Gorski Kotar, Slavonia, Zagorje and Medjimurje.
During the time the office is located in Split the President said that "we will attempt to spend as much time amongst citizens because I promised that I would be with the people and this is one way of doing that."
Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Zlatko Zevrnja referred to the day's event as historic for Split and the county. "You are doing exactly what you said you would and that is that you will be a president of the people and the people respect you for that. These people see you as a person of hope, new optimism and a better Croatia," he said.
The temporary Office of the President will be situated in the County office building and the flag today was raised by Split's best marathon runner Tea Gaberc.