In the cult restaurant "Delmonico's", located in the financial district of New York City, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia ended his visit to the United States of America, where, in addition to attending the United Nations session, he mingled with numerous Croats from the east and west coasts of America.
"The city of New York was built on the legacy of Croatian emigrants who brought with them their Central European diligence and Mediterranean passion”, said the host of this meeting, the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in New York, Mr Nikica Kopačević and added that "the local Croats who helped build this "city that never sleeps" do not forget Croatia either, but Croatia does not forget them either."
His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Washington, Pjer Šimunović, noted how "Delmonico's" became that evening "Croatian territory where the Croatian flag flies proudly", while the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, told those present that "Croatia has never been more connected to the Croatian emigration than it is today". He especially greeted the president of the oldest association of Croats in America, Edward Pazo, from the "Croatian Fraternal Community", which has been in existence for 130 years.
She led the program Lidija Babić, Konzulica in New York, and in addition to distinguished speakers, members of the Croatian community also showed their talent. The American and Croatian national anthems were sung by the talented Marcela Grancaric from the Croatian Catholic Mission of Blessed Ivan Merz in Astoria, and the beauty of Croatian folklore was demonstrated by the folklore group "Hrvatska ruža" from the same community. They performed the Dubrovnik dance "U selu kolo igram", and the young tambura players who gather in the folklore group "Kardinal Stepinac" from the Croatian parish of St. Cyril and Methodius and St. Rafael in Manhattan, delighted the audience with their interpretations of Croatian songs. The banquet was also attended by the spiritual leaders of both Croatian Catholic communities in New York.
A truly impressive number of Croats gathered and filled the entire lower floor of this superb restaurant, which is reputed to be the oldest in New York, and where Nikola Tesla once enjoyed eating. "Delmonico's" is owned by Croats, which is another proof of how successful we are as a nation in this great city, because Frank Sinatra says:if you can make it in New York, then you can make it anywhere".
In addition to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Andrej Plenković, a large number of diplomats also gathered, including His Excellency Mr. Ivan Šimonović, Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Croatia to the United Nations. From Croatia, in addition to the mentioned emigrants, the Minister of Health, Mr Willy Berosh and the Director of the Croatian Tourist Board, Mr Kristjan Stanišić. These days, we noticed in New York numerous representatives from tourism who used autumn to show potential guests how beautiful Croatia is at any time of the year. Near Leila Krešić Jurić, director of HTZ for North America, there were also representatives of several tourist boards, as well as the initiator and director of the group of unique hotels "Impresia", Nenad Nizic i Antonia Urlić. She was also present Marigold Komarica, a prominent tourist worker and head of HTZ for North America, and the current representative of Croats from emigration in the Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia.
The official part ended with the speech of the guest of honor, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia who used the opportunity to highlight everything that has been achieved since the independence of Croatia.
"Croatia is today an independent democratic state that has completed its territorial integrity and completeness, and the only thing left to do is join the OECD", said Mr. Plenković. "All this was achieved despite the difficulties of the last few years due to the pandemic, the earthquake, and the war in Ukraine". He particularly pointed out that today Croatia has excellent results: lower unemployment and higher GDP, and that the share of public debt in GDP this year is below 60 percent for the first time. He also referred to the recent excellent ratings of the "Standard and Poors" and "Fitch" agencies, which gave Croatia a rating starting with the letter A, which means that Croatia has entered the highest level of credit rating.
"You are here to play a special role in strengthening Croatia", said Prime Minister Plenković, "jbecause it is being built in three stages: the protection of Croats in BiH, who are an equal and constructive people there, Croatian minorities in the surrounding countries, and Croats living in the world.".
He pointed out that the migration process is two-way and called for the use of programs for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia and said that intensive work is currently being done to solve the most important issues: demographic revitalization, digital transformation, green transition and education. And finally, the Prime Minister concluded his address with an appeal that the doors of the Croatian state are open to all emigrants and that they continue to contribute to its development. You can listen to the exclusive recording of Prime Minister Plenković's speech at Delmonico's on our show Croatians Saturday Live on Spotify.
After the end of the official part, the gathering continued, where the Prime Minister patiently posed and answered all the questions of the emigrants. In addition to numerous Croats, the West Point cadets, with whom the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in New York has excellent cooperation, also gladly attended the reception.
Photo: Mate Kruzic
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