Lauding Croatia’s 20 Years of UN Membership, Secretary-General Says Where Once It

Hosted Five Peacekeeping Operations, It Now Built Proud Record of Public Service

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the ceremony celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Croatia’s membership in the United Nations, in Zagreb, 25 May:

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Congratulations to Croatia on the twentieth anniversary of your membership in the United Nations!  We truly appreciate your contributions to our work.

Croatia has made a remarkable transformation.  Twenty years ago, your country was in turmoil.  There were five peacekeeping operations on your territory.  Since then, you have built a proud record of public service.  Croatia has served on the Security Council, and it is now on the Peacebuilding Commission.

Once you were dependent on aid from others.  Today you have joined the ranks of donors.  Croatia has also built a strong democracy.  It actively promotes peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.  The United Nations will continue to help consolidate progress in Croatia and across South-East Europe.

Last year, in his address to the General Assembly, President Josipovic said, and I quote, “current challenges require all of us in the United Nations to firmly stand together to offer common solutions on the basis of solidarity, responsibility and respect for the rights and dignity of every person on the globe”.

In that spirit, I count on Croatia to continue supporting our global work for peace, development and human rights.  On behalf of the United Nations, let me say:  mnogo hvala!

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For information media • not an official record