Party president Marija Vucinovic said on Saturday evening the HGI felt its successes in recent months included contribution to Montenegro's independence and winning one seat in the Montenegrin parliament.
"The establishment of the 'Umbrella Association of Croats' is the precursor of the future National Council of Croats in Montenegro," Vucinovic said, adding the HGI would set up branches in Budva and Herceg Novi as well.
The party's parliamentary deputy, Bozo Nikolic, said it was "historic that Croats in Montenegro have their representative in the state's highest representative body".