Croatian officials issue Christmas messages

 (Photo: (Photo: Julien Duval/ Zagreb Tourist Board)

ZAGREB, Dec 24 (Hina) – President Zoran Milanovic issued a message for Christmas and the New Year on Thursday, expressing hope that the coming holidays would further encourage people to pursue universal values of humanity.

“This year we will celebrate the greatest values of Christmas – love for the neighbour and faith in the victory of the good – differently than we are used to. Today we face completely new, unprecedented circumstances that put us to the test of responsibility and solidarity. The test of solidarity for the whole of our society, above all with people who have exposed themselves for months in fighting for the lives and health of people across Croatia, fighting to stop the coronavirus pandemic,” the president said.

“Care for our neighbours, particularly for the elderly, infirm and ill members of our families has never been more important than it is today. Let us protect our mothers and fathers, our grandmothers and grandfathers, our grandmas and grandpas. Let us show them in these holiday times our responsibility and our care for the people who have cared for us our whole lives,” he added.

Milanovic noted that Christmas is also a time of charity, tolerance, understanding and mutual respect.

“In these difficult times we are all equally vulnerable and that’s why we should also think about the well-being of people whom we do not know,” the president said, appealing for responsible behaviour during the holidays.

PM issues Christmas message 

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic issued a message for Christmas on Thursday, underscoring the spirit of Christmas that reminds everyone to show solidarity and to take care of their loved ones, especially those who need it the most.

“On behalf of the government and myself, I wish from the bottom of my heart all Croatian citizens, as well as our compatriots from abroad, a merry and blessed Christmas! We are celebrating the most joyful Christian holiday in challenging and difficult circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release.

Plenkovic called on everyone to act in a responsible way and to reduce socialising and visits, all in order to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus infection and to protect the lives and health of loved ones and everyone else.

“Dear citizens, may the Christmas message of hope bring you plenty of peace and health and be an encouragement for the better times to come. I believe that through responsible behaviour and togetherness, we will overcome this crisis and come out of it even stronger and better. Merry Christmas,” the press release said.

Parliament Speaker issues Christmas message

Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic also issued a message for Christmas to Croatian citizens in the homeland and abroad, underscoring Christian values and calling for togetherness and responsible behaviour in the face of the pandemic that hit Croatia and the entire world.

Christmas is a time of family connection, optimism and it recalls Christian values that strengthen us in facing all temptations, he said.

This year temptations are particularly strong, Jandrokovic said, but stressed that he is convinced Croats will successfully overcome them with solidarity, prudence and responsible behaviour.

In the midst of great challenges Croatia and the whole world are facing, he underscored that the priority is to preserve every human life and the health of Croatian citizens.

In order to be as successful as possible, mutual respect, political unity on fundamental goals, preservation of jobs and economic recovery are important, and especially care for those who are the weakest and most at risk, the parliament speaker said.

He also expressed his thanks to all doctors, nurses, medical and technical staff who have been doing their job selflessly and dedicatedly for ten months, saving the lives and health of loved ones.

“With these thoughts, in the anticipation of Christmas, may your homes be filled with an abundance of faith, love, joy of life and the feeling of hope,” Jandrokovic said in the Christmas message issued on his and the parliament’s behalf.