Zagreb - Sabor Speaker Gordan Jandroković on Wednesday welcomed plans to erect a monument to Vukovar in Devínska Nová Ves, assessing that the project would further strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the Croatian and Slovak peoples.
Jandroković, who arrived in Slovakia on Wednesday for a two-day working visit, met with representatives of the Croatian ethnic minority in Devínska Nová Ves. He visited Vukovar Street, named after the Croatian city since 2019 thanks to the initiative of local mayor Darius Krajčír, who is of Croatian descent.
Jandroković welcomed the plans to install a monument to the city of Vukovar, assessing that the project would further contribute to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the Croatian and Slovak peoples.
Jandroković stressed that the Croatian minority is “extremely well integrated and respected in Slovak society and represents a strong bridge of friendship between the two nations”.
“They have for more than five centuries preserved and successfully promoted Croatian identity, language, culture and tradition,” the parliament chairman said, announcing continued support from the Sabor and other Croatian institutions for projects aimed at preserving ties with the homeland.
He also said he expects continued support from the Slovak authorities, whose approach towards Croats he described as “constructive, friendly and respectful”.
Devínska Nová Ves, near Bratislava, is home to the Museum of Croatian Culture, operating since 2005, as well as the Croatian Cultural Association. According to the statement, these are “key institutions for preserving the continuity of the Croatian community in Slovakia”.
Earlier, Jandroković also visited the exhibition studio of artist Gordana Glass.
On Thursday, the Sabor Speaker is due to meet his Slovak counterpart Richard Raši and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini.