On 8 October 1991, Croatian Parliament adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Croatian Parliament, which 25 years ago, on 8 October 1991, adopted a historic decision on Croatia’s independence, organized on Friday’s an official reception to mark the anniversary, reports HRT on October 7, 2016.
The reception was hosted by the outgoing Speaker of Parliament Željko Reiner who said that no one would ever again be allowed to threaten Croatia. “This anniversary should be an incentive to our citizens to bring back the hope and confidence and to start the recovery of the country that will bring happiness and satisfaction to all its citizens. This requires patriotism, strength of will, determination, wisdom and responsibility, as well as courage, just like in the Homeland War. I am confident that the new convocation of Parliament, which will be constituted next week, and the new government will achieve that goal”, said Reiner.
He recalled the dramatic circumstances in which the Parliament 25 years ago, in the basement of a building at Šubićeva Street in Zagreb, adopted the historic decision on dissolution of all constitutional ties between Croatia and former Yugoslavia. Just one day before, on 7 October 1991, Yugoslav aircraft attacked the Banski Dvori palace, a building which at the time housed the offices of Croatian President, and that was the reason why Parliament did not meet at its usual meeting place.
Reiner pointed out that Croatia was now facing a different kind of challenges, primarily the economic crisis. “Many people are on the verge of poverty, many are unemployed, young people are moving abroad in search of jobs. That is not what the veterans had fought for, that is not what citizens of this country want”, said Reiner. Looking back on the past quarter century, he said that Croatia had achieved a great deal – democracy and peace, a membership in NATO and the European Union. However, he warned that citizens still did not live in prosperity. “Could we have done better? Certainly, but that is why we must not stop halfway. We must not abandon the ideals that moved us forward 25 years ago”, concluded Reiner.
The reception in Parliament was attended by top state officials, representatives of political, social, cultural and academic life, representatives of religious communities and the diplomatic corps in Croatia. The guests honoured the first Croatian President. Franjo Tuđman and Croatian soldiers killed during the Homeland War.
