Grlić Radman: It is important to start discussions about the ship „Jadran“, I expect progress in resolving the issue of confiscated property

Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman said it is important for the two countries to start discussions regarding the training ship „Jadran“.

The Croatian Government recently established a commission for the return of the ship „Jadran“ and other military property from Montenegro, which was also one of the reasons Croatia withheld its consent for Montenegro to close the foreign policy chapter in EU accession negotiations. The commission is led by Grlić Radman.

- It is important for Montenegro to form a commission and for talks on this issue to begin. I am heading the Croatian commission, and we will see whom the Government of Montenegro appoints, if it will be Dragan Krapović - what matters is that we start these discussions and present the arguments from both sides - Grlić Radman told journalists in Kotor, where he is staying on the occasion of the Day of the Croatian People.

He also said he does not understand why the memorial plaque in Morinj is controversial, stressing that it serves as a reminder of a difficult period - the breakup of the former state - and of more than 300 people who were forcibly subjected to suffering, abuse, and torture.

- One person was killed before even arriving in Morinj, and two or three others died as a result of severe abuse, mistreatment, and torture. Many others later died prematurely, even after the camp was closed, due to the consequences of the torture - Grlić Radman emphasized.

Speaking about Lora, the Croatian minister said it was a military prison in the former state and later as well.

- There were individuals who committed crimes, and it is certain that some are still serving their sentences. Ultimately, Croatia also had to confront the rule of law and the prosecution of war crimes, and we fulfilled everything that was required of us. We are still searching for 13 or 14 missing persons, and we therefore expect a response from Montenegro regarding this issue - Grlić Radman said.

Addressing Montenegro’s path toward the European Union, Grlić Radman said he would not speak of blockades, but rather of whether obligations have or have not been fulfilled.

- Just as Croatia worked on closing chapters under the new methodology - once we fulfilled everything, we concluded the negotiations. In that sense, it is a strategic and national interest to have a stable, secure, and prosperous Montenegro as a neighbor - Grlić Radman said.

He reiterated that Croatia strongly supports the reform process and all steps that contribute to Montenegro’s rapprochement with the EU.

- There remain certain open bilateral issues resulting from the breakup of the former state. These are not only bilateral in nature, but also civilizational and universal issues - Grlić Radman stated.

He emphasized Croatia’s support for Montenegro’s European and NATO perspective, noting that the two countries represent a good example of loyal members of the Alliance.

- NATO membership is an expression of transatlantic connectivity that links Europe and North America into a single security and defense alliance. We share common values in this, strengthening defense through the military industry, innovation, and other institutions, because the key to security lies precisely in investment in the defense industry, given the volatility of geopolitics and the strategic environment - Grlić Radman added.

He said that earlier today he met with representatives of 51 families from Tivat whose property, as he stated, had been confiscated. According to Grlić Radman, they are now unable to register their property in the Mrčevac cadastral municipality because, he said, there is no political will to implement several court rulings from Kotor, Podgorica, and elsewhere.

- At one point, registration in the Mrčevac cadastral municipality began, and then it stopped. Today we have „emancipated“ this topic, and I believe that through cooperation between the two governments, that is, the judicial authorities, we will make progress. After all, this is the rule of law - Chapter 23, fundamental rights, and a condition for closing the benchmarks on restitution - Grlić Radman emphasized.

He thanked the Government of Montenegro and his Montenegrin counterpart Ervin Ibrahimović for the decision to transfer the „Josip Marković“ Cultural Center in Donja Lastva to the Government of Croatia, calling the move a major step forward.

- We are pleased that the people of Boka Kotorska have woven Croatian cultural heritage into the unified heritage of Montenegro, contributing to multiculturalism and coexistence, and that Croats in Montenegro contribute to the country’s prosperity - Grlić Radman said.

Ibrahimović: We must relieve future generations of the burden of the past

Ibrahimović congratulated the Day of the Croatian People, stating that the date carries great symbolism and confirms centuries-long good cooperation between the two countries.

- I have always advocated placing emphasis on minority rights in Montenegro, because there can be no high-quality and prosperous Montenegro without a visible and important pillar made up of minorities - Ibrahimović said.

He added that Croatia helps strengthen good-neighborly relations and that the country is a reliable partner to Montenegro on its path toward the European Union.

- And all those skeptics who try to confuse the public by claiming that Croatia did not support us, including on NATO, after today’s meeting I can say that Croatia supports Montenegro’s EU path even more strongly and that we can count on their support - Ibrahimović emphasized.

On the other hand, he said, Montenegro is also aware that it has obligations toward Croatia and future generations.

- We must relieve future generations of the burden of the past, and we must do so through concrete actions, not populism. We are already working on this. We have made significant steps forward. Bilateral consultations resumed after five years. After seven years, the joint committee is working again. We are working and taking positive steps - Ibrahimović said.