Zagreb, (IKA) – On Wednesday, October 20, the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Gordan Jandroković, received the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. Archbishop Mamberti was accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Mario Roberto Cassari; the First Secretary of the Nunciature, Msgr. Mauro Lalli; and Msgr. Henrik Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski, who is in charge of the countries of the former Yugoslavia at the State Secretariat of the Vatican.
In a statement to the press, Minister Jandroković expressed satisfaction with Archbishop Mamberti’s visit and recalled his own visit to the Holy See in June 2009. “We expressed our mutual satisfaction with the development of the relationship. Once again, I conveyed gratitude for the overall support that we received from the Holy See at the time of the establishment of the modern Croatian state, and especially for its support at the completion of negotiations for Croatian accession to the European Union,” said Minister Jandroković. He also noted that he had expressed the desire and hope that Pope Benedict XVI would visit Croatia in the very near future.
The minister said that they had also discussed the situation in Southeast Europe. “We devoted particular attention to Bosnia and Herzegovina. I acquainted our distinguished guest with our policy toward Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the principles guiding us in this policy. I particularly stressed the importance for Croats to retain their status as one of the three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to be equal to the other two constituent peoples in all things,” said Minister Jandroković. He added that they had agreed that all the countries in Southeast Europe should be afforded European perspective because it is important for the peace, stability and prosperity of this part of Europe.
Minister Jandroković also reported on a project to be carried out next year by the post offices of Croatia and the Vatican, the joint issue of a postage stamp in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Ruđer Bošković.
Archbishop Mamberti stated that he had come to Croatia at the invitation of Minister Jandroković. “This morning, I met with the President and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia. During cordial conversations, they stressed the good relations that exist between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia, and confirmed our mutual desire to continue constructive dialogue between the two sides. Views were also exchanged on the current problems in international relations, with special reference to the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said the archbishop. He emphasized that the Holy See supports the aspirations of the Republic of Croatia for accession to the European Union, with the desire for Croatia to make a particular contribution to the preservation of those Christian values that are at the foundations of its identity.
Archbishop Mamberti also reported that he had met with the Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Vladimir Šeks, and would be meeting with the Minister of Culture and the head of the Government Commission for Relations with Religious Communities, Božo Biškupić.
Tomorrow afternoon, accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Mamberti will meet with all the bishops of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, who are assembled at a plenary session in Lovran. Tomorrow evening, he will concelebrate Mass with all of them in the Rijeka cathedral. During his stay in Croatia, he will also visit Krk and Dubrovnik.
“Pope Benedict XVI has asked me to convey his special blessing to the community of faithful Catholics and for his greetings, filled with good wishes, to be extended to all the citizens of the Republic of Croatia. From my heart, I wish Croatia continued progress in both the material and spiritual areas. I also hope that it will know how to preserve and develop those spiritual values that have their roots in the Gospel of Christ, that have accompanied you throughout your history and that are strongly ingrained in your culture,” said Archbishop Mamberti.
In response to a question regarding a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia, Archbishop Mamberti said that he knows this is eagerly anticipated but he has not been authorized to announce any decisions. He did say that the State and Church authorities will soon be able to provide information.