Plenkovic begins visit to Vatican, has informal meeting with Italian PM

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic began his visit to the Vatican on Friday by meeting with representatives of the Croatian community in Italy in the Croatian Embassy in Rome.

"I wish you would cherish the Croatian identity and Croatian culture, particularly where Croats form an autochthonous minority," Plenkovic said in his address.

Plenkovic said he was pleased to be able to talk to Croatian representatives, who came from Rome, Udine, Milan and Molise, about ways of promoting the status of the Croats in Italy. He said he was interested in efforts they were making to strengthen the relations between Croatia and Italy, noting that the two countries had broad political, economic and cultural cooperation.

Plenkovic recalled that he had met with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Tallinn last week and discussed many issues with him.

"What is important is that Italy will support us on the path to the Schengen area and will support us in our efforts to meet the criteria for the adoption of the euro. ... We will also work together on strengthening our economic cooperation, trade, investment, education and our Adriatic and Mediterranean orientation," the Croatian prime minister said.

Plenkovic also had an informal meeting with Gentiloni in Chigi Palace on Friday, the Croatian Embassy told Hina.

Speaking of his visit to the Vatican, Plenkovic said that his meeting with Pope Francis would be "one of the most referential moments in the work of any prime minister in terms of international activity."

The pontiff will grant an audience to the Croatian prime minister and his family on Saturday. Plenkovic is also scheduled to meet with the Holy See's Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and visit the Pontifical Croatian College of St Jerome.

Text and photo: Hina

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