PM Plenkovic issues Statehood Day message

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Saturday congratulated the Croatian people and all Croatian citizens on Statehood Day, observed on June 25, saying that Croatia's demanding journey to independence and the sacrifice and engagement of the entire Croatian people were an obligation to persevere in building a modern democratic society.

In difficult times for Croatia 26 years ago, the Croatian parliament passed the Constitutional Decision on Croatia's sovereignty and independence and the Declaration on the proclamation of sovereign and independent Croatia, which was a confirmation of the will of the Croatian people for the establishment of an independent state, clearly expressed at the 19 May 1991 independence referendum, Plenkovic said in his note.

"By observing Statehood Day, we remember Croatia's demanding and long journey to independence. That is why we owe lasting remembrance and gratitude to all who defended the independence, sovereignty and integrity of Croatia during the aggression by Milosevic's Great Serbia regime, notably to the war veterans whose sacrifice is embedded in the foundations of our country. Those sacrifices and the engagement of the entire Croatian people oblige us to persevere in building a modern democratic society," Plenkovic said.

"Today Croatia is a member of the European Union and NATO, committed to the realisation of strategic goals - advancing relations with neighbours, contributing to global peace and security, and strengthening international law and the system of international relations we have been building together in the past decades."

"We have ensured political stability and achieved positive economic trends as a good framework for further growth and development. We will continue to boost economic competitiveness, increase employment and stabilise public finances for better living standards and the democratic revitalisation of the country," the prime minister said.

Text: Hina

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