Croatia announced that it has banned Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic from entering the country, who plans to visit Jasenovac, the largest concentration camp in the country during the Second World War, today.
Relations between the two countries have been strained after Serbian leader Vucic wanted to visit Jasenovac and Pokrac without formally informing Croatian officials.
ENTRY PROHIBITED
Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman stated at a press conference that Vucic violated diplomatic relations protocols and said that he learned about the visit through unofficial means.
Noting that a note was sent to the Serbian Embassy in Zagreb, Grlic Radman said, “Any kind of visit must be reported through official channels. Otherwise, Croatia cannot accept it.” said.
Claiming that the visit had other purposes, Grlic Radman said, “I am of the opinion that the purpose of the visit is political, not to visit the victims of war. Victims are a means here, not a purpose. I do not believe it is a sincere visit.” he said.
The Croatian Minister stated that Vucic was banned from entering Croatia after all these developments.
AN EXPLANATION HAS BEEN ALSO COMING BY SERBIA
Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic also held a press conference on what happened and said that a note was sent to the Croatian Embassy in Belgrade, but it was not received.
Stating that the decision taken by Croatia was “terrible”, Selakovic announced that the Serbian government would also take countermeasures.
Stating that Vucic only plans to visit the monument in Jasenovac, Selakovic said that last year, more than 700 Croatian diplomats, including ministers, entered Serbia without any official notification.
Vucic shared the monument in Jasenovac on his social media account, saying, “Just do your job. The Serbian people will continue to live and will not forget what happened.” used his statements.
Meanwhile, it was noted that Vucic will hold a press conference tomorrow and make statements regarding the ban.
MORE THAN 83 THOUSAND CROATS, SERBIA, JEWS AND ROMANS KILLED IN JASENOVAC
The largest concentration camp in Jasenovac, Croatia, was established in 1941 by the Nazi-allied regime and was closed in 1945.
More than 83,000 Croats, Serbs, Jews and Roma were killed in the camp during the Second World War. (AA)