Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in the eastern town of Vukovar on Tuesday that his government would persevere in the policy of interethnic reconciliation, co-existence and focusing on the future, noting that this policy was supported by 95 percent of Croatian citizens.

“We are here to pay respects to the victims of Vukovar, the symbol of the Homeland War, pursuing a clear policy of reconciliation, co-existence and focusing on the future, which is supported by 95 percent of the citizens of Croatia. We will persevere in this because it is good for Vukovar, for the Croats living here and for the Serb minority. Nothing can change this direction that we are heading in,” Plenkovic said ahead of Homeland War Victims Remembrance Day.

“This is the fourth decade of democracy in Croatia and it is important that, in addition to protecting the dignity of the Homeland War and showing respect for the sacrifices made by Croatian defenders, we all look ahead in a spirit of reconciliation and cooperation,” he added.

The prime minister made this statement after he was asked by the press about the absence of state secretary Zvonko Milas from the delegation of the Serb National Council (SNV) and the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), and the reaction by Vukovar deputy mayor Ivana Mujkic, who had said she felt “betrayed and sold out” following the announcement that Milas would be in the delegation.

Plenkovic denied that the government and the ruling HDZ party had come under pressure not to include Milas in the delegation.

“No, there has been a misunderstanding. I don’t know what happened exactly. I understand that today he got a cold or something and could not join the SNV and SDSS representatives at Ovcara,” Plenkovic said.

He expressed hope that tomorrow’s remembrance ceremony in Vukovar would go well considering the coronavirus epidemic. “I hope that everything will go well tomorrow and that everyone will avoid any behaviour that might contribute to the spread of the infection.”

Asked to comment on President Zoran Milanovic’s decision not to join the Remembrance Procession but to pay his respects by laying a wreath at the memorial on the Ovcara mass grave site, Plenkovic said: “That’s his choice.”