On the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the 1991-95 War and Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar and Skabrnja we remember the heroes to whom the Croatian people owe their freedom and democracy, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday in Vukovar, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the town.

“Today, on Remembrance Day, the 30th anniversary of the fall of Vukovar, we remember all the heroes to whom the Croatian people owe their freedom, democracy, and the life that we have after the war. Vukovar is Croatia, and Croatia is Vukovar. This can be seen today with people arriving here from all over Croatia – and abroad – to pay their respects,” Plenkovic said in Vukovar ahead of the commemorative procession.

‘Vukovar has a future’

“The battle for Vukovar is honoured, as is its sacrifice. It is a pledge for our future, the sacrifice of Croatian soldiers will never be forgotten,” said Plenkovic.

He said that the government has a duty to always do more for Vukovar and its people, to invest in its development, economy, social inclusion, and jobs. Plenkovic said that, over the past five years, the government has done a lot financially and economically as well as symbolically because it wants Vukovar to have a future befitting those who gave Croatia the most.

“It is up to us to make our small contribution and reward that with our actions in the years ahead,” said Plenkovic, once again expressing his gratitude to all those who gave their lives for Croatia’s freedom in Vukovar 30 years ago.

Prosecution of those responsible continues

Croatia is still searching for 1,800 missing persons from the 1991-95 war, Plenkovic said.

“We are seeking information from those who have it. I’m talking about the Serbian authorities and individuals who know where the graves of those who fell for Croatia are located. We will persist in those efforts together with the families of the missing, with associations and all those who have suffered and are still suffering because they don’t know the fate of their loved ones,” said Plenkovic.

In regards to war crimes, he said that almost one-sixth of those accused of committing war crimes in Croatia were from the Vukovar area. The entire JNA command has been indicted, as well as individuals, and there have been more than 100 convictions, but the process is continuing.

Some of the perpetrators of war crimes are out of reach of Croatia’s judiciary, but we will continue with the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of numerous Vukovar defenders and civilians, Plenkovic said.

Question of the missing is part of the criteria for Serbia’s joining the EU

As far as Serbia is concerned, the issue of the missing is raised at every meeting at all levels and that is something that we will continue to insist on, Plenkovic said.

“Recently, there have been some signals of political will to take a step forward but given the experience we have had, we are cautious in analysing those announcements, and only when we have concrete evidence and information that is currently unknown to the Croatian authorities will we be able to take a step forward. It is clear that the issue of the missing is part of the obligations Serbia has to fulfil on its journey toward the EU and we will always emphasise that,” said Plenkovic.

Asked about his opinion of segregated classes in schools and kindergartens in Vukovar, Plenkovic said that the process of peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube region in 1998 resulted in certain specific decisions in that area but the government is working on inclusive policies towards all minorities in Croatia, including the Serb minority.

“We will continue that policy. We consider it to be good and useful for Croatia, which shares European values that we want to be present throughout Croatia, including in Vukovar,” he added.

With reference to the epidemiological situation and the crowds gathered in Vukovar today, Plenkovic said that the expectation is for everyone to act responsibly.

“We cannot ignore the disease that exists around the globe and has been with us for two years. It has caused us to change our way of life. That is why I expect today’s commemorative procession, gathering in front of the hospital, attendance at the memorial cemetery and Ovcara to pass in dignity, above all because of the victims, and everyone should make a small contribution towards responsibility. Even though we will be outdoors, we should not put others at risk,” he said.