ZAGREB, Aug 5, 2020 - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman has said that the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Operation Storm in Knin was dignified and that the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Boris Milosevic of the Independent Democratic Serb Party was a turning point in relations between Croats and Serbs.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, held in Knin on Wednesday on the occasion of Victory Day and Homeland Thanksgiving and War Veterans Day, Grlic Radman said that the proposal for Milosevic's presence at the Knin ceremony had come from Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.
Milosevic's arrival in Knin fantastic message to Serbia
"Finally, (Milosevic) is a citizen of Croatia. I think this is a turning point in our relations. Serbs are represented in the Croatian parliament, and I would describe this as a fantastic message to Serbia which should not be surprised but should welcome the fact that Serbs in Croatia regulate their issues with a democratically elected government," said Grlic Radman.
He noted that Milosevic's presence at today's ceremony in Knin could contribute to improving relations and resolving more outstanding issues as well as set an example for Serbia to turn to the future.
Grlic Radman described the Knin celebration as dignified, and addresses by top state officials as statesmanlike speeches.
Asked what kind of reception today's speeches by President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Plenkovic could have in Serbia, Grlic Radman said that all the speeches at today's event were about inclusion, tolerance, future, reconciliation as well as the need to learn from the past.
Serbia owes answers about missing persons
Grlic Radman said that the war in Croatia had been imposed on the country and that in present-day Europe there was no room anymore for the policy of aggression.
"We advocate stability, peace, respect, tolerance. We expect to work on outstanding issues with Serbia," he said.
Speaking about people gone missing in the 1991-95 war who remain unaccounted for, the minister said that Serbia has a duty and obligation to give answers to their families.
"In order to achieve that, we have to talk with Serbia, it owes us answers," Grlic Radman said.
