Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Inappropriate accusations from Zagreb, what Croatian citizens really did in Serbia

Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Srbije
Source: Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Srbije

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today, in response to Croatia's protest note, that it is inappropriate for state officials and political actors in Croatia to accuse Serbia of jeopardizing the freedom of movement and speech of several Croatian citizens, who, they emphasize, were treated in Belgrade by the competent state authorities in accordance with legal procedures and usual international practice.

"The inappropriateness turns into absurdity when considering the fact that Serbian citizens in Croatia are often treated in a manner that is not in accordance with the law, nor with European values and standards, nor with common sense," the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declares.

The Ministry reminds that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was denied the opportunity to pay his respects at Jasenovac to the victims of Ustasha terror, among whom were also his ancestors.

"Ordinary Serbian citizens encounter even worse treatment, often being the targets of insults and attacks by individuals in Croatia, but also of legal violence backed by the state, as in the case of Belgrade lawyer Nemanja Berić who was sentenced to 15 days in prison for a post on a social network," the statement points out.

It is also stated that the question Croatia needs to answer to its public is why no other Croatian citizens currently residing in Serbia are experiencing any inconveniences or special treatment, but are welcome guests.

"However, that answer would have to include information about what the individuals who are the subject of reactions from part of the Croatian political public were actually doing in Serbia," the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs concludes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that Serbia remains interested in building harmonious and productive relations with all its neighbors, including Croatia, but such relations must be built through mutual effort, not nearly daily public messages that generate anti-Serbian sentiment in Croatia, and certainly not through crude interference in the political processes in the neighboring country.