President Milanović in New York: Croatia will not be a puppet

by croatiaweek
September 22, 2025
in News

(Photo: Office of President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

Croatian President Zoran Milanović, accompanied by his wife, Professor Sanja Musić Milanović, met with members of the Croatian community in New York on Sunday.

The meeting took place at the Croatian Centre of the Parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius and St Raphael, a long-standing hub of religious and cultural life for Croats across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

“Croatia is not a chess piece”

Speaking to the gathered community, Milanović underlined that Croatia’s membership in the European Union and NATO was an important achievement, but should never overshadow national interests.

“Croatia is in the European Union and NATO, which is a good thing, but we must never lose sight of our real interests. Anyone who fantasises about a centralised Europe is not speaking the truth. Europe is not a state – and as a Croat, I do not want to live in such a state,” he said.

(Photo: Office of President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

He emphasised that Croatia, with its four million citizens, had achieved something remarkable by creating its own state, describing it as “the product of courage and the heart of the Croatian people”.

“The Croatian state is not just a square on the EU chessboard,” he added, stressing that while Croatia remains loyal and cooperative, it will not allow itself to be manipulated. “We must define our interests clearly. We are loyal and fair, but we will not be marionettes.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Milanović also spoke about the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He rejected the notion that the Dayton Agreement was unclear, saying instead that the problem lay in rights being taken away.

“The issue is not a lack of clarity. The issue is that rights are being stolen and denied. Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be given their right to elect their own representatives. That is fundamental,” he said.

Visit to Croatian parish

Before the community gathering, President Milanović met with Father Lovro Šimić at the parish house and attended Mass with his wife.

(Photo: Office of President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

(Photo: Office of President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

The Croatian parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius and St Raphael has been active since 1974, led by Croatian Franciscans. It has played a key role in preserving Croatian language, culture and traditions among generations of emigrants in the United States.

(Photo: Office of President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

(Photo: Office of President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

UN General Assembly

President Milanović arrived in New York to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which opens on Monday with the commemoration of the UN’s 80th anniversary.