- Published: 24.08.2015.
PM on refugees: In line with our possibilities, which are small but do exist, we are willing to help and will do so.
Milanovic said it was virtually impossible for what happened in Macedonia to happen in Croatia. Croatia was not the refugees' "goal and target. These are desperate people running away from a difficult situation and you can't welcome them with batons."
Asked if Croatia was ready to receive refugees if their route was redirected towards Croatia. Milanovic said it was virtually impossible for what happened in Macedonia to happen in Croatia.
"I have been saying from day one, both in Croatia and in the European Council and among the prime ministers of the European Council, that we are a country which received help from others when it was hardest. Therefore, in line with our possibilities, which are small but do exist, we are willing to help and will do so."
Milanovic said he did not expect the refugee crisis to spill over into Croatia but that if it did, "we must be human, have heart and give our all."
He said finances were the smallest problem in handling the refugee crisis and helping refugees because resources and sources existed. He added, however, that Croatia was not the refugees' "goal and target... These are desperate people running away from a difficult situation and you can't welcome them with batons."
Asked if the state had a strategy for receiving refugees, he said Croatia could not have a strategy without the European Union, "which has no strategy and this has taken it by surprise... Germany will take in nearly a million people this year and Croatia will help, of course. One of our biggest ships is near Sicily right now, participating in the rescue of people. We are here, we won't run away from our responsibility and Croats will show solidarity."
Reporters asked him if he had information that Egyptian services killed a person involved in the murder of kidnapped Croatian citizen Tomislav Salopek. Milanovic said he was informed about it, but too late. "I can't comment. I know about it but, as you know, our options are limited."
(Hina)