Zagreb (IKA) – A delegation led by President Stjepan Mesić of the Republic of Croatia visited the Zagreb branch office of HKD Napredak in Zagreb. Their hosts were Dr. Franjo Topić, the president of Napredak, together with members of the board of directors and staff. President Mesić thanked Napredak for their invitation, the plaque they awarded him in recognition of his support, and for fostering a good climate for relations between Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

President Mesić also spoke of Napredak#!s perseverance and significance in preserving the cultural and national identity of the Croatians in Bosnia & Herzegovina, particularly during the war years. He pointed out that Bosnia & Herzegovina is a Croatian and Bosnian and Serbian country, adding that it is necessary to continue working on achieving European standards because the common goal is entry into the European Union. President Mesić urged the Croatians in Bosnia & Herzegovina to participate in building the instutions of that country, and urged business people from Croatia to invest more in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Dr. Topić thanked President Mesić for his visit to Napredak and recognition of its work. He requested President Mesić to urge the Croatian authorities, Church and media to state clearly and loudly that it is in Croatian interests for Croatians to return to and remain in Bosnia, reminding him of optimistic data on the retun of Croatians to the Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina. He also pointed out the need for major concrete projects to assist Napredak, as well as the Croatians in Bosnia & Herzegovina. At the conclusion of the formalities, a short musical program was presented by Napredak#!s scholarship recipients: Mihaela Soko, soprano; Vedrana Šimić, soprano, and Edmund Andler Borić, pianist.