President Milanovic issues Christmas and New Year's message

"This year we will celebrate the greatest values of Christmas - love for the neighbour and faith in the victory of the good - differently than we are used to. Today we face completely new, unprecedented circumstances that put us to the test of responsibility and solidarity. The test of solidarity for the whole of our society, above all with people who have exposed themselves for months in fighting for the lives and health of people across Croatia, fighting to stop the coronavirus pandemic," the president said.

"Care for our neighbours, particularly for the elderly, infirm and ill members of our families has never been more important than it is today. Let us protect our mothers and fathers, our grandmothers and grandfathers, our grandmas and grandpas. Let us show them in these holiday times our responsibility and our care for the people who have cared for us our whole lives," he added.

Milanovic noted that Christmas is also a time of charity, tolerance, understanding and mutual respect.

"In these difficult times we are all equally vulnerable and that's why we should also think about the well-being of people whom we do not know," the president said, appealing for responsible behaviour during the holidays.