Europe Day, which is remembered for Robert Schuman's historic declaration and is considered the beginning of the present-day European Union, was marked in Zagreb on Thursday with various events that will be held until Saturday.

The marking of Europe Day began outside Europe House, where people could ask Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Gabrijela Zalac and the head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, Branko Baricevic, questions about the work of the EU and EU funds.

Zalac recalled that Croatia had a EUR 14.4 billion surplus with the EU. “I expect us to do even better with further requests to the European Commission for funding as projects near completion.”

A panel was held at which participants agreed that young people lack courage and that the education system should be changed to encourage them to be more active in society and talk about the subjects that interest them.

“We haven’t convinced young people that they are part of something. They don’t stand up enough to say what they think,” said Baricevic.

The marking of Europe Day will end in Europe Square on Saturday with a sandwich making competition between the embassies of Croatia, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Ireland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Romania and Hungary.