"May I congratulate the British Council on all they have achieved over the past seven decades, giving opportunities to young Croatians and helping to forge so many friendships between Croatia and Britain. May the next 70 years be just as fruitful," Prince Charles said at the ceremony held at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Zagreb. The Duchess of Cornwall did not attend.
"I couldn't be more delighted than to be able to join you here this evening," he said, addressing British Council Director Conor Snowden and those gathered for the event, including prominent figures from Croatian public life - actors, athletes, musicians, business people and media representatives.
Snowden said that the British Council today operated in a modern, successful and independent Croatia with the support of the government and all the partners. "We look forward to continuing to work on UK-Croatia links for the next 70 years and beyond."
This year the British Council is organising a series of events to mark its presence in Croatia, its activities in the past and its activities on establishing new partnerships between the two countries. It is helping with events marking the 400th anniversary since the death of William Shakespeare, and one such event took place at the Croatian National Theatre on Monday which was attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
In the Museum's gallery Prince Charles opened the Inclusive Design exhibition which showcases products made by persons with disabilities and designers from Croatia. The exhibition is conceived as a display of skills and products made as part of a British Council project.
"I was so impressed to see the way in which their ideas, their drawings and their designs have been turned into the most beautiful and rather special objects of all kinds, which I think is a great art to be able to do that," Prince Charles said.
The celebration of the 70th anniversary of the British Council in Croatia marked the end of the two-day visit of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Croatia. The royal couple travel to Belgrade on Wednesday.