The delegation of the Croatian Parliament, headed by President Gordan Jandroković, has interrupted its visit to Serbia, the HINA agency reported.
The Croatian agency, referring to a statement from the Office of the President of the Parliament, stated that this happened after the incident in which the radical leader Vojislav Šešelj cursed the Croatian delegation and stepped on the Croatian flag.
This happened after the delegation of the Parliament held the planned talks in the Serbian Parliament, and then, as Tanjug learns, the planned meetings did not take place.
In the meantime, the media reported that the Parliament delegation went to the Croatian Embassy instead of the next meeting.
As they state, Jandroković consulted with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, after which they decided to end the visit and return the delegation to Zagreb.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and Speaker of the National Assembly Maja Gojković condemned the behavior of the SRS leader.
"I unequivocally, most strongly condemn the behavior of Vojislav Šešelj. Attempting to tear the Croatian or anyone else's flag or national symbols and insulting members of official delegations visiting our country is not behavior that represents Serbia, the values of the Government of Serbia and the majority of our citizens," Brnabić stated on her official Twitter account. .
She called on everyone on the political scene to behave in accordance with the aspiration for Serbia to be a country that is an example of cooperation and contributes to good relations in the region and Europe.
"Serbia should offer solutions for all the challenges we have, instead of destroying the bridges we are building with irresponsible behavior," the announcement on the website of the Government of Serbia states.
She stated that with the meeting between the presidents of Serbia and Croatia, Aleksandar Vučić, and Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, the relations between the two countries gained a new dynamic.
"The statements of all our officials, the meetings and actions that followed further confirmed Serbia's determination to develop good-neighborly relations with Croatia. This is the path we have chosen, because Serbia is deeply committed to regional cooperation and achieving stability in the entire region," she stated. Brnabić.
SRS announced earlier today that Seselj "stepped on the Croatian flag" in front of the Serbian Parliament and cursed the delegation of the Croatian Parliament, which is on an official visit to Serbia.
Plenković: Serbia should condemn the event
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said today that he expects Serbia to condemn the incident caused by Seselj, convicted of war crimes.
"I expect Serbia to condemn the event and that after the dialogue is established, we will see how to proceed," Plenković told reporters in Zagreb.
Plenković said that he considers today's event to be an incident of Vojislav Šešelj and his followers and added that he has not received information that Serbian officials agree with him.
Asked to comment on the fact that Serbia's ambassador to Zagreb, Mira Nikolić, refused to accept Croatia's protest note, Plenković said that he thought the note was appropriate given the nature of the incident.
Jandroković: Disgusting and unacceptable
The President of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, said today in Belgrade that the delegation of the Croatian Parliament could not get over the incident caused by the radical leader Vojislav Šešelj, and that is why it stopped its official visit to Serbia.
"We came here with the desire to take a step in improving relations between Croatia and Serbia. It started well, we had two very good meetings, but then the incident with Seselj happened. I believe that it is something we cannot and will not overcome, and for this reason, we decided to end the visit," Jandroković told Croatian media reporters in front of the Croatian Embassy.
He said that the Croatian delegation did not see the incident with the flag, but that Seselj, according to a statement from his party, stepped on the Croatian flag.
"It is disgusting and unacceptable, and for that reason we decided to end the visit and return to Zagreb," said Jandroković.
He said that it is "a line that we simply have to cross, because this was not correct, and it is unacceptable".
Jandroković did not want to answer further questions from journalists, saying that he will hold a press conference upon his arrival in Zagreb.
The Croatian government also condemned the incident caused by the radical leader.
"We strongly condemn the uncivilized and unacceptable act of Vojislav Šešelj, trampling on the Croatian flag, disrespecting Croatian symbols, as well as insults against the members of the Croatian delegation and another person of the Republic of Croatia," Government spokeswoman Sunčana Glavak told N1 television.
Grabar-Kitarović: The biggest punishment for Šešelj is the existence of the state of Croatia
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović said today that Jandroković's decision to end his visit to Serbia was "the only possible response to the savagery of convicted war criminal Vojislav Šešelj".
"His trampling on the Croatian flag is an expression of the impotence of the leader of the defeated criminal policy that has brought many evils to the Croatian people, including the Croats in Vojvodina. The greatest punishment for him and such is the existence of an independent Croatian state and the complete collapse of the Great Serbia project," according to a statement from the president's cabinet. which is broadcast by N1 television.
Grabar-Kitarović welcomed the reaction of the highest officials of Serbia and expressed the hope that this event will not spoil the progress in relations between Serbia and Croatia, achieved in the last few months.
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