Grlić Radman in Morinje: We appreciate the efforts of Montenegro to face the past

The delegations of Montenegro and Croatia, led by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Robert Markić and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlić Radman, laid wreaths today to mark the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of the former camp in Morinje and the suffering of Croatian soldiers and civilians.

Grlić Radman said on that occasion that Croatia appreciates the efforts of Montenegro to face the past, reports Radio Kotor.

Journalists were not allowed access to the perimeter of the former military camp, which is secured by the Army of Montenegro, so the officials gave statements to the media in front of the gate itself.

"The year before last, we lit candles, then Minister Đorđe Radulović, a Montenegrin colleague, was also present, and last year a plaque was also placed here. Then, in a way, it became the moment when Montenegro made that contribution thanks to two ministers, then Minister of Foreign Affairs Ranko Krivokapić and Minister of Defense Raško Konjević", Grlić Radman said, adding that flowers were laid again this year.

He recalled September 29, 1991, the day when former JNA admiral Vladimir Barović committed suicide, refusing orders for the navy to bomb Croatian coastal cities.

"He would rather take his own life than shoot Croatian cities. We are here today to pay respect and reverence to the victims and cherish the memory of what happened more than 30 years ago and never let it happen again. We appreciate the efforts of Montenegro to face the past. Most of the civilians were detained here, people from Konavalo, from around Dubrovnik, but there were also detained Croats from Boka Kotorska from these areas. They are alive, they are witnesses of torture. Many have passed away, they did not last", said the Croatian minister, adding that "it is important that we are all aware of this", and that we raise new generations in love, tolerance, peace and good neighborly relations.

Radio Kotor reports that Markić was the only Montenegrin official who attended the laying of flowers, and that the former head of diplomacy Ranko Krivokapić came.

Markić: We cannot and must not deny the past

Markić, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reminded that the heads of diplomacy of Montenegro and Croatia jointly laid a wreath in Morinje for the first time in 2021, which was an important step and an indicator of Montenegro's readiness to face the past, the way pointed out "which we are not proud of, but which we cannot and must not deny".

He pointed out the importance of the existence of markers in Morinje, as well as at all places of suffering and committed war crimes.

"It is important to remember, to remember, because it is the only way not to forget the sufferings of war. It is also important that we develop a culture of remembrance, paying tribute to the victims, thus building a future in which the same mistakes will not be repeated," said Markić.

Answering questions from the media, and talking about the methods of memorialization and the plaque placed in 2022, he emphasized that the reason for its unresolved status is not the marking of the place of suffering, but the fact that it was placed without the legally prescribed consent of the competent authorities.

Today in Morinje, he also said that regional cooperation is a pillar of Montenegrin foreign policy, and that, as a member of NATO and a country that is on its way to becoming the first and next member of the EU, Montenegro is obliged to point out the path that is was wrong.

"By talking about the past, which we are not proud of, we show that we want to build the best relations with our neighbors, because only through peace with our neighbors can we have peace at home. By being here, we additionally confirm that, and I think it is the most important message, which we sent for the first time in 2021 and which we are still sending today. We remember the past, thereby strengthening the foundations for a better and safer future for generations to come," concluded Markić.

Grlić Radman: I hope we will get "Jadran" back

In response to a journalist's question about the ownership of the training ship "Jadran", the Croatian minister repeated that the issue should not be disputed in principle, and that all that is needed is a little good will and that he hopes that in the spirit of good neighborly relations, Croatia will get its ship back , reports Radio Free Europe.

He repeated that Split is the home port of the ship, which was in Tivat in 1990 for overhaul, where it remained due to the war.

"I hope that the new government, in the spirit of good neighborly relations, will do something and that we will get that ship back," Grlić Radman said.

On the same day, Prime Minister in technical mandate Dritan Abazović said to a journalist's question that the ship Jadran was not hijacked and that it belongs to Montenegro.