ZAGREB, February 28, 2018 – Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović on Tuesday received delegations of Homeland War associations and representatives of associations who talked about the war missing with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade recently.
The president of the association of families of detained and missing Croatian defenders, Ljiljana Alvir, said the communication and cooperation of all sides was important in shedding light on the fate of the missing, Grabar-Kitarović’s office said in a press release.
War veterans’ associations believe Croatian and Serbian institutions must continue talks on the missing and other outstanding issues. During today’s talks, it was said that Serbia should rescind its law on universal jurisdiction and it was concluded that, despite all the problems, it is necessary to continue to negotiate and give the other side a chance to open the process of tracing the missing, according to the press release.
Grabar-Kitarović said she believed in the success of this initiative as there was good will both in Croatia and Serbia to find out what happened to the missing. She said an important step forward was made, as Croatia’s associations of the missing were received by Vučić and she received Serbian associations.
The families have again been given hope and faith that their dear ones will be found, which puts a special obligation on state officials, she said, adding that she would do her best so that they were not let down.
She said this was a very emotional topic which must not be downplayed or politicised again. “We have established a new kind of dialogue, we are trying to build trust and I’m convinced that the families of the missing will be the first to feel the results of that. Although we are aware that there will be failures along the way, they will not discourage us.”
