Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday Deputy PM Boris Milosevic would be in the remembrance procession in Vukovar on Wednesday and that this was an important message of respect for Homeland War victims and in line with the government's policy of reconciliation and looking to the future.

Speaking to the press, Plenkovic said he would be joined in the procession by Milosevic of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), Deputy PM Tomo Medved, and ministers Natasa Tramisak, Mario Banozic and Josip Aladrovic.

Ministers Gordan Grlic Radman, Marija Vuckovic and Ivan Malenica will go to the commemoration in Skabrnja.

Plenkovic said Milosevic’s going to Vukovar was a very important message of honouring the victims of Vukovar and the Homeland War. “I think it is in line with our policy, the policy of reconciliation, looking to the future, coexistence.”

He recalled that Milosevic came to Knin in August on the occasion of Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, while Medved went to Grubori and he to Varivode.

Plenkovic said Milosevic’s going to Vukovar would bring full circle “gestures which are important, valuable, essential for Croatia in the fourth decade of its democracy, respecting the Homeland War, remembering the sacrifice of Croatian defenders, notably those who gave their lives in Vukovar, Skabrnja and other parts of Croatia.

Asked if Milorad Pupovac (SDSS) would go to Vukovar, Plenkovic said he and other SDSS representatives usually went on the 17th. “I suggest he or SDSS representatives say how and when they will go there.”

Asked what kind of message it was if the president of the republic did not go to Vukovar, Plenkovic said he did not know if the president would be in the remembrance procession and that he would not speculate.

Given the epidemic and the possibility of the epidemiological situation deteriorating due to a large number of people taking part in the procession, Plenkovic said the national COVID-19 response team demanded that hospitality establishments stay closed on Wednesday “to prevent situations which could lead to the spread of the infection.”

He recalled that the procession would be held outdoors and that people should work in groups of 25. “If everyone keeps a reasonable distance, I think we will do everything for this remembrance procession too to pass in a dignified manner.”