Zagreb (IKA) — On February 27, President Stjepan Mesić of the Republic of Croatia. received a delegation from the Holy Synod of Archpriests of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which included Metropolitan Jovan of Zagreb-Ljubljana and all of Italy, Bishop Vasilje of Zvornik-Tuzla and Bishop Jovan of Šumadija, according to a statement issued by the President’s Office.

Emphasizing the good cooperation with the bodies of the state authorities of the Republic of Croatia, the delegation stated that there are problems at the local levels which, among others, which are favorable to incidents directed at returnees of Serbian nationality, thereby hindering their return and integration into the Croatian society. The President of the Republic pointed out that Croatia is firmly committed to facilitating the return of all, adding that it is necessary to make additional efforts in order to remove the existing obstacles to the return of those who wish to do so. The delegation also informed the President of the need to renovate church buildings in order to establish regular church services and pointed out the need to revitalize the organization Privrednik that assisted the education of schoolchildren and college students. During the conversation, the delegation emphasized the very good ecumenical relations with the Catholic Church and expressed the hope of meeting with the Prime Minister in the near future in order to resolve legal matters regarding property.