"The decisions of September 1943 are the best example of striving for freedom and of the bravery of one generation," Istria County Prefect Ivan Jakovcic said at the session.
Despite the difficult economic situation Jakovcic said that he would not give up development projects for the county.
On 25 September 1943 the regional committee of the national liberation movement convened in Pazin and decided on the integration of Istria, Rijeka and Zadar with their parent country, Croatia. After World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, Istria was given to Italy. After the advent of fascism, Croats and Slovenes living in Istria were subjected to a policy of forced Italianization and cultural suppression.
In 2005, the Croatian parliament declared 25 September as a memorial day commemorating the unification of Istria, Rijeka, Zadar and the islands with Croatia.