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Zagreb - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković on Saturday issued a Christmas message, offering his best wishes to Croatian citizens as well as Croats in the homeland and abroad, noting that the increasingly complex world needs the message of the victory of light over darkness that the birth of the Son of God brings.
"The holiday of Christ's birth is a holiday of faith, love, peace and hope, a time of joy that should be generously shared with one's family and dear ones, and with all people of good will. At the same time, the Christmas season is an occasion to re-examine our own values, acts and achievements," he wrote.
Jandroković recalled the accomplishment of Croatia's strategic goals of euro area and Schengen area entry, the opening of Pelješac Bridge, and the bronze medal won by the national football team at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Still, the feelings with which we welcome Christmas this year are mixed because after numerous challenges in recent years, from the devastating earthquakes to the COVID-19 pandemic, since February the world has been witnessing a war in Europe, he said.
"This Christmas Eve marks ten full months that Ukrainians have been going through the horrors of war. Their difficult fate... is reminiscent of the suffering and sacrifices made in the struggle for our own freedom and independence. It reminds us that we must not take it for granted or turn a blind eye to destruction and human suffering, anywhere in the world," said Jandroković, calling for solidarity with everyone who suffers.
"The increasingly complex world truly needs a message of the victory of light over darkness that the birth of the Son of God brings. The Croatian society, too, needs greater mutual understanding, tolerance and togetherness, and more constructive work by all its stakeholders for the purpose of the common good.
"Let the faith, love, peace and hope of these holidays fill the hearts of people across our homeland so that next year we can be ready for new progress in a closer mutual dialogue and with greater optimism," the Parliament Speaker said.