Zagreb, (IKA) – On October 20, the Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Vladimir Šeks, received an official visit from the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, according to a statement issued by the Croatian Parliament. Deputy Speaker Šeks expressed gratitude for the Holy See’s continuous support of Croatia, from its international recognition to its accession to Euro-Atlantic integration. He said that Croatia, as a majority Catholic country, and the Holy See nurture exceptional bilateral relations that have been crowned by three visits from Pope John Paul II to Croatia, and that the Croatian people fervently hope that Pope Benedict XVI will visit soon.
“The profound bond between the Croatian nation and the See of Peter has been manifested for fourteen centuries, not only in Croatia but also in European history, and every visit from the Holy Father to Croatia brings messages of peace and encouragement,” said Deputy Speaker Šeks. He mentioned the four signed bilateral agreements ratified by the Croatian Parliament, the foundation of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See. Speaking about Croatia’s path toward the European Union, Deputy Speaker Šeks noted that Croatia wants to conclude the technical negotiations with the EU by the beginning of 2011, so that it would be able to sign the Accession Treaty during the mandate of the Hungarian presidency of the EU. He emphasized that the Holy See has greatly contributed to the creation and spread of a positive atmosphere for the acceptance of Croatian membership in the European Union. Speaking about the situation in the region, he said that Croatia attaches great importance to the strengthening of regional cooperation and affording Euro-Atlantic perspectives to all the countries of the region. Nonetheless, he noted concerns regarding the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially the survival of Croatian Catholics in that country.
It is jointly emphasized that the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be based upon the concept of the integrity of the state and the equality of the peoples who live there. In this context, the establishment of the Military Ordinariate in Bosnia and Herzegovina is exceptionally significant and welcomed with satisfaction.
Archbishop Mamberti said that the Catholic Church and the Holy See follow the process of European enlargement with the same attentiveness that the Holy See followed the process of the birth of the European Union. The profoundly positive nature of the overall process lies in the project of reconciliation and peace among all the nations, while the project was designed in such a way that the European nations share the same values, noted Msgr. Mamberti. “We support the project of European integration and the process of the accession of Croatia, as it already belongs to Europe historically and geographically, as well as culturally, spiritually and in terms of its values. We warmly hope that Croatia will bring its spiritual riches and the values for which it struggled so greatly over the centuries to the EU,” said Msgr. Mamberti. He added that the Holy See also supports the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the countries in the region, viewing them as a factor for the stability of the entire region. The Holy See follows the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with great attentiveness and shares the opinion that if it wants to preserve its sovereignty, Bosnia and Herzegovina must guarantee the equality of all three constituent peoples in that country. “The Catholic Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina is very engaged in this respect and we support all its efforts.” Msgr. Mamberti also sent best wishes to Croatia and the Croatian people.