The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman opened, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Consulate of the Republic of Croatia in the Kingdom of Belgium with headquarters in Liège, headed by Honorary Consul Stéphane Uhoda and consular authorities over the consular area that includes the province of Wallonia.
The opening was also attended by Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer and Municipal Commissioner Catherine Delcourt. It is another Croatian consulate headed by an honorary consul in the Kingdom of Belgium, after the one in Bruges in Flanders.
According to the data of the Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian emigrant community in the Kingdom of Belgium, according to current estimates, numbers around 7000 emigrants, of which, according to unofficial estimates, up to 3500 people of Croatian origin live in Wallonia.
"I am pleased that symbolically, precisely during the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are opening this Consulate, which not only marks a new chapter in our good diplomatic relations, but also a reaffirmation of the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between our peoples," the minister pointed out.
He emphasized that the Croatian emigration has a long history in Wallonia that goes back to the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, and their contributions from all walks of life have enriched our nations and laid the foundation for strong ties. For example, the Croatian Catholic mission in Liège played an important role in preserving the Croatian identity, religion and culture of the Croatian emigration during Yugoslavia.
"The establishment of this Consulate reflects our commitment to deepening our ties with the local dynamic community and further strengthening bilateral relations between Croatia and Belgium. Its purpose is clear: to improve and deepen the useful cooperation between Croatia and Wallonia", concluded the minister.
Source and photo: MVEP
Photos: Pexels
Listen to Croatians Online here:
Croatian American Media Association Corp is a tax exempt organization under Section 501 c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN # 99-1591741). Your donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to support our mission. Your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
