President Zoran Milanovic said on Thursday that Independence Day on October 8 should be observed with respect and dignity because it was a debt to all those who voted for Croatia's independence in the referendum and to members of parliament who unanimously supported it.

On October 8, 1991, the Croatian parliament made a decision to sever all state and legal ties with the other republics and provinces of the former state, whereby complete and irreversible independence of the Republic of Croatia was declared, Milanovic wrote on Facebook.

This was the final confirmation, by the highest representative body of the Croatian state, of the will of the vast majority of Croatian citizens who said in a referendum on May 19 that year that they wanted an independent and sovereign Republic of Croatia.

To respect Independence Day and mark it with dignity is the least we can do, said Milanovic.

As of last year, Independence Day on October 8 is no longer a public holiday but a memorial day, observed as the Day of the Croatian Parliament.

Milanovic had criticised that decision during his presidential campaign, saying that Independence Day is the most important public holiday, and he accused the HDZ that by amending the law on public holidays and memorial days they “are trying to force their holidays on the nation.”