Croatia’s Foreign Minister has praised generations of Croats living in Canada for helping forge a powerful bond between the two countries, telling the community in Montreal that their contribution reaches far beyond simply preserving their heritage.
Gordan Grlić Radman, Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, highlighted the importance of the Croatian diaspora during a visit to Montreal on Sunday, describing the community as one of the most important links between Croatia and Canada for decades.
“Living abroad while maintaining a strong connection with the homeland are important elements of our policy towards the Croatian diaspora,” said Grlić Radman.
The minister stressed that relations between Croatia and Canada were about far more than ties between two governments, saying their “true strength lies in people,” with the Croatian community playing a particularly important role.
He singled out Montreal and Quebec, where generations of Croats have established a strong social, cultural and business presence while making a lasting contribution to Canadian society.
Grlić Radman also underlined the wider relationship between the two countries, describing Croatia and Canada as allies and partners sharing responsibility for peace, security and stability across the broader transatlantic community.
Writing on Facebook, the minister said Croats in Quebec and across Canada had contributed significantly to Croatia’s international reputation and Croatian-Canadian relations through their work, achievements and continued attachment to their homeland.
He added that the Croatian Government would continue supporting the diaspora and efforts to strengthen its connections with Croatia.
And he had a particular message for younger generations and descendants of Croatian emigrants, telling them that their Croatian roots should be viewed as more than simply an inheritance.
“Make use of it, nurture your identity and stay connected with Croatia,” he wrote.
Grlić Radman is visiting Canada from September 26 to 28, with his programme also taking him to Toronto.
There he is due to participate in the Second International Conference on the Return of Ukrainian Children, Civilian Detainees and Prisoners of War, where he will address participants.
The Croatian Foreign Minister is also scheduled to meet Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Ukrainian Canadian Congress president Paul Grod as part of the three-day visit.