The Serbian government has donated €100,000 to the Croat National Council (HNV) for the renovation of a section of the birth house of Count Josip Jelacic, the Ban (governor) of Croatia (1801-1859) in the town of Petrovaradin, the HNV said on Wednesday.

The renovation work will be done in the basement, on the ground floor and the first floor of the building purchased by the Serbian government for the HNV.

The work should start in about two months and if everything goes well, it will be completed in mid-2021, said Darko Polic, who runs the foundation “Count Josip Jelacic Memorial House”.

The HNV recalled that the Serbian government purchased a part of the building for €600,000 and returned it to the ethnic Croat community so that it could own it again after 75 years.

At the official opening of the house in October 2020, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic promised further investments in the renovation of the building and assistance in the development of the HNV and Croat community’s infrastructure.

The local Croat community has expressed hope that this year a Croatia House will be built in Subotica and that offices given to the Croat community in Belgrade for use will be renovated.