Agreement on donation of Josip Marković cultural centre testifies to friendship, shared European values

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlić Radman signed in Tivat earlier today the agreement between the two governments on the transfer of the right to manage the Josip Marković cultural centre in Donja Lastva. The agreement once again confirms the two countries' commitment to strengthening good neighbourly relations, mutual trust and preserving the identity of minority peoples.

With today’s signing of the Agreement, we confirm Montenegro's strong commitment to building and fostering relations of trust and partnership with our neighbours and allies. Croatia is our friendly neighbour and the Croatian community in Montenegro is an inseparable part of our social mosaic, Minister Ibrahimović stated.

He emphasised that Montenegro cherishes civic and multiethnic harmony as one of its most important achievements, and that the preservation of the rights and identities of minority communities is a strategic priority of every responsible policy.

I am delighted that the Josip Marković cultural center will be a space for meetings, dialogue, and collaboration – a symbol of shared European values and another bridge of friendship between Montenegro and Croatia, Ibrahimović concluded.

Minister Grlić Radman expressed satisfaction that this Centre will serve as support for cultural, educational and social activities of the Croatian minority in Montenegro. He thanked the Government of Montenegro and Foreign Minister for their commitment to dialogue, cooperation and affirmation of European values that Croatia and Montenegro share.

This act symbolically represents a testament of trust and friendship between Croatia and Montenegro, but also a concrete contribution to the preservation of the identity, language, and culture of the Croatian minority, Grlić Radman stressed.

He also added that such concrete steps contribute to Montenegro's European path and open space for resolving all outstanding issues, and that Croatia's support for Montenegro's EU integration is unquestionable.

We will continue to advocate for Montenegro's accession to the EU and provide support just as we did during NATO accession, said Grlić Radman.

The two heads of diplomacy met in Tivat to discuss current bilateral and regional topics, confirming their commitment to open dialogue and cooperation with the aim of finding mutually acceptable solutions to all outstanding issues.