The Council for Croats Abroad on Saturday started a two-day session in Varazdin, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic saying on that occasion that Croatia was proud of its diaspora and that his government's goal was to create conditions facilitating the return of a part of the expatriate community.

“The fact that Croats live in many countries and that many contribute to their homeland… with their business, cultural, artistic, sports and other activities reflects the great unity of the Croatian nation and of the expatriate community and the homeland. That unity is high on the government’s list of priorities,” said Plenkovic.

He went on to say that financial support to projects for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina had been increased by more than 50% and that support to Croat minority communities in neighbouring countries had been doubled.

“In the last three years we have financed 1,537 projects around the world worth HRK 115 million,” said Plenkovic.

He said that Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina should have a status equal to that of the other two constituent ethnic groups, the Serbs and the Bosniaks.

“I hope that recent media reports indicate a change in the right direction regarding an agreement between political parties, primarily the HDZ BiH and the SDA, on changes to the election law so that anomalies are removed and situations are prevented in which Croats are outvoted in elections for key bodies of representation,” Plenkovic said.

He underlined Croatia’s unreserved support to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey to EU membership and noted that special account had to be taken of the Croat community in Serbia.

“Everything that happens in Croatia with regard to the Serb minority reflects instantaneously on the status of Croats in Serbia. That is why it is important to understand our policy and its impact on the status of the Croat minority,” the PM said at the start of the session of the Council for Croats Abroad.