POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

Croatian President after meeting with Hungarian counterpart: EU must accept differences between states

Christian Fernsby |
“We are neighbouring countries, we have lived here for centuries and we will live together for a long time to come.

Article continues below




"We rely on each other, we have never had serious misunderstandings, minor ones yes. However, what binds us is the awareness that we rely on each other and that we agree on many things,” the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović said at a press conference after meeting with Hungarian President Katalin Novák.

In his statements to the press, President Milanović commented on the 1990s and the Homeland War, pointing out that at that time only a few countries were open to help Croatia. “They were Hungary, Austria and Germany. Everyone in their own way and within their capabilities, but in relative terms Hungary helped the most. Years later, I cooperated with Prime Minister Orbán.

"We didn’t agree on some things, but we did agree and still agree on many important things. And one of them is the right of states to regulate their affairs and relations between people and communities, in their own way,” said President Milanović.

Both states, Croatia and Hungary, operate within the framework of these rules and European values, said the Croatian President, who pointed out that these rules and values cannot and are not the same in every state.

He added that the European Union cannot function in the way the bureaucracy in Brussels functions and in the way its political mentors want. “We must get rid of the illusion that we are all equal,” he said.

“I am here as a friend and I feel accepted as a friend. We will always talk about differences, but also about similarities and about the support that we must always give to each other, simply out of common interest. This should very much be discussed.

"The European Union functioned well, that was the task and historical goal of my generation of people, politicians. And we achieved that goal. And the creation of a single European state? – never,” said President Milanović, citing the example of the exit of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union, from which a lesson should be drawn.

“Croatia did not join the European Union to become a small and well-oiled cog in a big machine, but to maintain its viability, identity and openness. It lives on openness, primarily on tourism, and that is why it is very important for us that Hungary is also economically successful and stable, that your currency is stable, that you are good clients and guests in Croatia,” President Milanović said.

In this regard, he mentioned the introduction of the euro in Croatia, which Hungary did not introduce.

“It is not an easy decision. It is not an easy decision to give up the national currency forever. Croatia made that decision.

"I have some dilemmas, but the decision has been made and there is no going back.

"We entered Schengen to the delight and satisfaction of some of our northern neighbours who will now stop doing the work that Croatia is taking on with full responsibility because the borders still exist regardless of Schengen,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, President Milanović said that if the European Union wants to move forward and develop without major tensions, it must accept the differences that exist between states.

Speaking at the press conference, the President of Hungary Katalin Novák said: “I am especially pleased that the first guest from abroad is the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, whom I thank for accepting my invitation and for hosting him here in Budapest.

"To all of us he is a very popular politician because he often acts very bravely on the European stage.”

She said that Hungary and Croatia have long-standing and historical ties. “Last year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two states.

"This year we have another very important event for Hungary. This year, Veszprem is the European Capital of Culture, where tomorrow President Milanović and I will jointly open the event,” said the Hungarian President.

President Novák summarized the meeting with President Milanović in several points, on which she said they mostly agreed, including the following: the issue of the war in Ukraine and the condemnation of Russia’s aggression; the pursuit of peace and territorial integrity; the continued integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union; halting illegal migration to Europe; the strengthening of infrastructure ties between Croatia and Hungary; energy cooperation aimed at reducing Hungary’s dependence on energy products from Russia; addressing the demographic crisis through the exchange of experiences.

“I am pleased that President Milanović will meet the Croatian community here and personally see how much the Croatian minority is receiving in Hungary.

"I am grateful to President Milanović because the Hungarian minority in Croatia can count not only on understanding, but also on increasing support and help,” said the Hungarian President, pointing out that Hungary views Croatia as a partner with which it has very strong ties.

“Croatia and Hungary are Central European states that can help make the European Union stronger. We discussed Croatia’s membership in the Schengen Area and the introduction of the euro, and the new opportunities this will open up for Croatia.

"As the President of Hungary, I can confirm that we support Croatia’s membership in the Schengen Area as well as the introduction of the euro,” said the Hungarian President and concluded that the abolition of borders helps mutual trade relations as well as tourism.

After giving their statements, the two Presidents took questions from journalists. When asked if they had discussed the INA-MOL issue, the Presidents said that it was not a topic of the meeting because it is a problem that can and must be solved by the Governments.

Replying to a journalist’s question, President Milanović clarified his earlier statement about a proxy war.

“I want as little hypocrisy as possible, for the rules to be as clear as possible and a battle to preserve human lives.

"When I say that it is a proxy war, it means a proxy war in which the only real victim is Ukraine, and that both Washington and Moscow are responsible for this and that they must sit down together – I then quote the words of the Ukrainian defence minister. But does anyone in the media read anything?

"So, I literally quoted the words of the current minister of defence who said that NATO is fighting against Russia with Ukrainian blood and energy. Those are not my words, but there is no understanding for them,” warned President Milanović.

He concluded his comment with the message: “I will not allow – and I believe that I have a mandate of the Croatian people for this – to turn us into an ordinary little dog in a pack that follows others and just barks.

"Just as I will not let the generator be hatred toward anyone – Russians, Serbs, Jews – anyone who at some point is not suitable. Because, I don’t know Russians well and I have worked with them very little, unlike Orbán. My attitude towards them was always cold out of mistrust.

"Everything in my life that I did, ninety percent, was related to the USA. Do I have the right to say what I am saying? I have an obligation, not a right,” said President Milanović.


What to read next

Commission: Hungary's veto over acquisition of AEGON's Hungarian subsidiaries by VIG breached EU regulation
Hungary makes Action Plan to make economy more shock-resistant
Hungary promises to monitor Russian ‘spy bank’ IIB in Budapest

U.S.: Widespread showers across the eastern half, severe thunderstorms in Montana into the Plains

 
The main thing making weather headlines Friday and into the weekend will be the widespread coverage of showers and thunderstorms across much of the central and eastern U.S., with a particular focus across southeast Texas, the Mid-South, and portions of Virginia.
 
 

Latest

Active drilling rigs fell yet again this week
New York Governor announces Sullivan County broadband project
Amazon to invest $20B in Pennsylvania for AI Infrastructure
China allows imports of rapeseed meal, soybean meal from Uruguay

NEWS

Scotland to host UK’s national supercomputer

Indian premier inaugurates world's tallest railroad in Kashmir
Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashes near airport in India's Gujarat
U.S.: Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain in the Central U.S.
U.S.: Severe thunderstorms and possible flooding in the East; extreme heat in the West
EPPO investigates major agricultural subsidy fraud in Greece
 

BUSINESS

Baker Hughes: U.S. oil rig count down by 9 to 442

Indonesia to launch salt farm project to end salt imports
Hyper Transfer project in Veneto, Italy hits new milestone
Indonesia ships 128 tons of L-Tryptophan to China
Green hydrogen from Africa more expensive than expected, study finds
Britain unveils 15.6 billion pounds investment in city transport
 

Trending Now

Global output of key food commodity crops on course for new records

Indian premier inaugurates world's tallest railroad in Kashmir

Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashes near airport in India's Gujarat

Russia's trade surplus falls 18.3% to $42.4 bln in January-April


POLITICS

Zimbabwe to ban lithium concentrate exports

Bulgaria to build 7,000 km fiber optic networks in poorly connected areas
Queensland: Crisafulli government gives green light for Paradise Dam early works
EU Commission selects 13 strategic projects in third countries to secure access to raw materials
Bulgaria meets criteria to join euro area on 1 January 2026
Premier leading Asia trade mission to promote British Columbia investment
 

Today We Recommend

Global output of key food commodity crops on course for new records


Highlights 

Amazon to invest $20B in Pennsylvania for AI Infrastructure

Point Blank Enterprises to create 300 jobs in Wakulla County, Florida

Google partners with Chile to deploy trans-Pacific submarine cable


COMPANIES

Point Blank Enterprises to create 300 jobs in Wakulla County, Florida

Google partners with Chile to deploy trans-Pacific submarine cable
Eurostar to launch direct trains from UK to Germany and Switzerland
Commission approves unconditionally acquisition of Intelsat by SES
Trigo Retail launches computer vision-AI powered loss prevention solution
Global consortium inks deal to build AAE-2 subsea cable line
 

CAREERS

Vodacom names new international markets CEO

David Andreadakis joins Loyalty Juggernaut as chief commercial officer
Tom Montali joins CSL as business development director
Concirrus appoints Steve O'Reilly as product manager
Jetcraft appoints Philip Baer as sales director in U.S.
Pere Mañé appointed as new CEO of Suanfarma
 

ECONOMY

Russia's trade surplus falls 18.3% to $42.4 bln in January-April

U.S. economy in Q1 revised up to 0.2-pct contraction
Japan loses top creditor position for first time in 34 years
NZ exports to EU jump 28% in first year of trade deal
EU generated €39.2 billion surplus in trade in agricultural products
California is now world’s 4th-largest economy
 

EARNINGS

Ericsson Q2 sales down but North America up

Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

Brazil's meat production in Q1 2025 hits record high

Global output of key food commodity crops on course for new records
EU approves 15 million euros to help farmers in Czechia, Slovenia, Germany
Bluetongue virus restricted zone to be extended to all of England
South Africa suspends poultry imports from Brazil due to bird flu outbreak
Egg exports grow in April and Brazil expands its presence in new markets
 

LEADERSHIP

Study: Missing a deadline has a bigger impact than you might think

Employers prefer younger job candidates for AI roles although experienced workers perform same or better
Study finds workers misjudge wage markets
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
 

CRIME

German court convicts four ex-Volkswagen managers of fraud in emissions scandal

EU fines carmakers €458 million for anti-recycling cartel
Commission fines Pierre Cardin and its licensee Ahlers €5.7 million for restricting cross-border sales of clothing
BHP, Vale agree to pay $30B damages for Brazil dam disaster
Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common compe
SEC charges Keurig with making inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pod
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in the heart of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis

Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Citroën C3 Aircross, the most affordable compact SUV with 7 seats

2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
 

DESIGN

Cold night, hot fire pit, cool entertainment

Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
 

GADGETS

MESA/Boogie Celebrates 40-year partnership with John Petrucci

reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
 

HEALTH

Hong Kong researchers develop needle-free flu vaccine with broad protection

World's first vaccines that don't need refrigeration entered trials
First patient enrolled in Phase 1 clinical trial of Akiram’s cancer drug candidate
FDA grants marketing authorization of first home test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis
Human cases of anthrax reported in western Mongolia
One more barrier to developing vaccine for HIV removed
 

MEANTIME

Cost of keeping wind turbines out of sight

Mission to "weigh" all of Earth's forests from space launched
NASA's SPHEREx space telescope begins mapping entire sky
Russian academics, gas industry experts see undersea LNG transportation as feasible
India launches space docking experiment mission
World-first carbon-14 diamond battery made