Croatia 2020 - Focus On

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TIE (KRAVATA) The necktie that spread from Europe traces back to Croatian mercenaries serving in France during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). Because of the difference between the Croatian word for Croats- Hrvati, and the French word- Croates, the garment gained the name cravat (cravate in French).

HUM, ISTRIA THE SEA ORGAN The Sea organ is an architectural sound art object located in Zadar, Croatia and an experimental musical instrument, which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps.

Hum, with its 30 inhabitants, is the smallest town in the world and 100% of the population spoke Italian. It was first mentioned in documents dating from 1102. A bell and watch tower was built in 1552 as part of the town's defenses beside the town loggia.

DALMATIAN (DOG) The origins of The Dalmatian can be traced back to Croatia and its historical region of Dalmatia. It is thought that early ancestors of the breed were certain breeds of pointers and a spotted Great Dane. .

PULA ARENA The Pula Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. It was constructed in 27 BC – 68 AD and is among the world's six largest surviving Roman arenas.

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Relations Between Croatia and Serbia are a Pillar of Stability in This Part of Europe We are important to each other, and it is important for Croatia that Serbia continues and completes its path towards the European Union membership, that we share the same values and that we regulate and develop our relations on mutually accepted principles n the fifth edition of the InFocus Croatia special, we spoke with the new Croatian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Hidajet Biščević, about the relations between Serbia and Croatia, if the political elites are ready to leave the past behind, why it is better to live by building bridges than walls, as well as about his return to Belgrade, which, for him, is a kind of "return to the future".

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“We cannot deny the fact that we are continuing to move in the direction of respect and goodwill, as Momčilo Djorgović said in "The Tragedy of a Nation", voicing his expectations. I share with him, as well as with countless people who make "a silent majority" that does not want to fall into the traps of hatred and revenge, who do not want to scream profanities in stadiums, and who reject the media propaganda, this fundamen-

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H.E. HIDAJET BIŠČEVIĆ Croatian Ambassador to Serbia

tal doubt in a constantly transferable thesis that no god or devil can reconcile the Serbs and the Croats,” says Mr. Biščević.

You are the first Croatian diplomat who was in the then secret mission in Belgrade in 1995, when the Agreement on the Normalization of Relations between Serbia and Croatia was signed. Today, you are the Ambassador of Croatia to Serbia.

What has changed in the relations between our two countries in these last 25 years?

— When I look at that period from today’s perspective, I feel as if my arrival in Belgrade, in Serbia, is almost like a kind of "return to the future", like closing a circle. Twenty five years ago, I had a huge professional and personal desire to succeed, namely, after all that had happened, I was guided by a seemingly simple thought in this first mission aimed at the normalization of our relations, which people unfortunately find very difficult in life, especially in political life, and that is to forget nothing but to be aware that we need to go forward. At first glance, it may seem that little has changed in those 25 years and that "normalization" still needs to be carried out. You see, even that word speaks for itself!

"Sparks" are still flying around, we are still sort of obsessed with each other, there is nevertheless a certain "sociology of generalization" in place, we are still "all Serbs" and "all Croats", irrational fears and mutual suspicion are still exchanged, new generations are listening to old stereotypes and we are witnessing rejection and rewriting of history.

Yet, we cannot deny the fact that we are continuing to move in the direction of respect and goodwill, as Momčilo Djorgović said in "The Tragedy of a Nation", voicing his expectations. I share with him, as well as with countless people who make "a silent majority" who does not want to fall into the traps of hatred and revenge, who does not want to scream profanities in stadiums, and who rejects the media propaganda, this fundamental doubt in a constantly transferable thesis that no god or devil can reconcile the Serbs and the Croats.

History, geography, religion, the life of the two countries at the crossroads... I know how much weight all of this has. I know how much it has dictated political relations and national characters. Nevertheless, I believe in the aforementioned respect and goodwill, which, as the initial principle of the real, full and deep normalization, can begin to prevail when this part of Europe, after more than a quarter of a century, just once, ceases to be "a powder keg”, where there are the perpetuation of a constant crisis, unfinished conflicts, unfinished peace, frozen conflicts... All this creates an atmosphere of mistrust and tension where there is constantly the search for "the culprits".

Unresolved and open issues in the region always leave room venting out

towards one of the neighbours and this is a never-ending circle. To top it all, these issues somehow make it into “the baskets” of renewed conflicts of interest of the great powers in this area, so "all Serbs" and "all Croats", mostly unknowingly, become pawns in other people's games. We signed an agreement on normalization 25 years ago at a time when the relations between the big ‘players’ were almost "normal".

Today, everything has changed in the relations between the superpowers, which makes our task even more difficult, but also more needed because it is always better to live by building bridges than walls.

You were the first Croatian diplomat to become an EU ambassador, and you were also the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council in Southeast Europe.

Serbia is a part of the Western Balkans, as well as involved in various initiatives, like the Berlin Process, the mini Schengen, regionalization…

How important is to open borders, in the broadest sense, and leave "the chains of the past” behind in terms of the relations between Croatia and Serbia?

— Leaving the past behind means knowing how to live in peace with the world. Leaving the past behind means knowing how to be open. Leaving the past behind means knowing how to recognize the other. It seems to me that, unfortunately, the political elites in this area are largely unprepared or even incapable of thinking and acting in the modernity of today’s world, as well as incapable of

We do not have big bilateral open issues and our political relations are, to say the least, in a kind of "stable stagnation"

recognizing or even understanding the values that govern modern policies.

Let me illustrate this for you. Democracy, rule of law, tolerance, and compromise ... Just think to what extent and how deeply political elites act according to these value principles? It is more acceptable to "close the borders" because they are afraid of open borders. It is easier to be a charismatic preacher in the countryside than a coherent speaker in Brussels.

This closed mind mentality, which is coated in “the great care” for the "people" and an even “greater patriotism”, keeps whole societies in a kind of captivity, in addition to the media lobotomy. We simply need to overcome that. Here, in Serbia, you will see this in various examples.

For instance, back in the day, there were protests against building railways, i.e. that by refusing to build railways you are “protecting people”.

This happened at a time when only a third of the population had a bed to sleep in. Or, in today's Croatia, being against reconstruction of the railway because it stretches from Zagreb to Belgrade, so we choose to travel on ancient trains, which are an example of civilizational backwardness, only

because which that’s “patriotic”. We are talking about trains that smell of roast chicken wrapped up in newspapers, have dirty floors and smokefilled compartments, while, at the same time, the negotiations on the EU membership are going on; the negotiations that few people see as the final chance to resolve the historically rooted dichotomy between modernity and self-sufficiency.

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How important are Serbia and Croatia to each other now, and in the future, when Serbia becomes a fullfledged member of the European Union?

— You may think I'm exaggerating, but the example of Croatia and Serbia, along with all other examples in this "world of chaos" and the world of almost open competition between two opposing types of governance, is also a measure of the willingness and ability of countries to anchor themselves in a democratic system, that is the system where rights are expected and which nurtures human and minority rights, i.e. the system of liberal democracy based on a sovereign nation-state, open to cooperation and transformed into multilateralism as a prerequisite for peace and stability.

We are so important to each other, so it is important for Croatia that Serbia continues and completes its path to the European Union, that we share the same values and that we regulate and develop our relations on mutually accepted principles. It is also important that, in this way, we validate that the relations between Croatia and Serbia are a pillar of stability in this part of Europe.

This is our fifth edition in which we cover the overall relations between the two countries. It seems that Croatia and Serbia do not have any big open issues concerning today's relations, except for "the turbulent past". Where do you see room for improving bilateral and economic relations?

— I agree with you. We do not have big bilateral open issues and our political relations are, to say the least, in a kind of "stable stagnation". What the radically changed international circumstances call for today is precisely the overcoming of this "stagnation" and making a step into such mutual relations in which we will share the same values, standards and principles, so as not to leave this part of Europe to the unknowns of already open geopolitical competitions. Therefore, full awareness of possible scenarios and political will have to replace stagnation with new dynamics and new dynamics require new tools.

Thus, a new impetus to political dialogue and new energy for resolving inherited unresolved issues, that are seemingly “small issues” but have a very large impact on mutual relations, are required. I will just mention the example of missing persons. As far as the economy is concerned, the situation is much better and the external trade between the two countries

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Leaving the past behind means knowing how to live in peace with the world.

Leaving the past behind means knowing how to be open

has been steadily growing. It has only declined slightly during this monthslong crisis and market closure due to the coronavirus.

COVID-19 and the pandemic are unavoidable topics. They affect the daily lives of all of us, but also the movement in the country and especially the economy. Can you give us some predictions in terms of the impact of the situation on the Croatian economy, especially on tourism?

— It is really difficult to make predictions in circumstances when the duration of the corona-induced crisis is unpredictable, when the so-called second wave could happen, when there is no reliable answer about the future intensity of action, when we don’t know which are the most endangered destinations, etc. There is no doubt that this crisis has dealt a severe blow to one of the most important sectors of the Croatian economy. But, on the other hand, a serious, timely, comprehensive and convincing response of the state authorities to the pandemic in Croatia in this sector, which is the most sensitive sector from the point of view of human contacts, travel and isolation, has left open channels for tourists. For instance, there are almost 400,000 tourists in Croatia at the moment, probably more than in any other tourist country in Europe. I can't talk about the percentages of a pos-

sible return to previous incomes. We will be able to do that only at the end of the season, and it all depends on the further development of the situation with the coronavirus, but I suspect that, after the crisis and in light of all human reactions to the crisis, the entire tourism industry will have to start devising completely new strategies, new products and new forms of offers. The mass collective type of tourism based on the "transfer - hotel - transfer" model could easily become a thing of the past.

Is there a chance that something will change, that Croatian tourism will manage to overcome the current crisis, and has Croatia prepared promotional offers and discounts that could contribute to overcoming the situation?

— As I said earlier, the state is doing everything in its power to help overcome this truly extraordinary and completely unexpected blow. At the same time, profiling Croatia as a country that responded to this blow in a timely and responsible manner has helped stabilize the economy, ensured that there was no dramatic rise in unemployment and that general social stability is still intact. All this creates the country’s image and affects decisions to travel and visit. Furthermore, just as the crisis has reached its peak, Zagreb and its surroundings were hit by a terrible earthquake. How-

ever, the way we responded to that problem did not jeopardize the idea of Croatia as a stable and safe country, and therefore a safe travel destination. We have launched bilateral talks with several countries regarding “safe channels”. For example, we have launched the so-called “train to coastline” project with the Czech Republic, which will help tens of thousands of Czech tourists to arrive safely and directly in the Adriatic.

The parliamentary election in Croatia has just ended. What is your view of the election results and what can they bring to Croatia?

— As you know, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) had a landslide victory in the election. Now, Prime Minister Plenković, as party president, will be in a position to secure the required majority relatively quickly so the President of the Republic can give him the mandate to put a new government together. I think that this process will go very quickly, not only because of the convincing election victory by the HDZ, but also because this landslide victory shows that the vast majority of the Croatian citizens recognized that societies want security, stability based on democratic inclusion and that citizens want seriousness and responsibility and that they value expertise in these difficult times, rife with huge challenges which are our country is facing, and not only our country, because the pandemic, insecurity and

I hope that, in the context of relations with the EU, Serbia and Belgrade will increasingly take on the face of a modern, advanced, developed state and its capital city

confrontations have all become global problems. In other words, the Croatian citizens largely do not want to support populist, ultranationalist or similar options. The election result confirms that most of the voters see political future in a stable, capable democratic option of the pro-European centre-right, which will protect national interests and at the same time, remain open to European values. On a pragmatic level, the results will enable the rapid formation of a stable government, which will be very important for facing the upcoming challenges - from the economic response to the consequences of the pandemic to dealing with a possible second wave of the pandemic. Last but not least, at the regional level, our neighbours will now definitely know what kind of political identity Croatia has opted for and I hope that they will recognize this and accordingly shape their policy towards Croatia.

We can't resist asking a diplomat with such a long journalistic career about his opinion of today's media image and journalism, not only in Serbia but also in the region.

— It is not difficult to answer this question, if a person has even a shred of education, decency and self-respect left in them. I will not succumb to nostalgia, but in "those" times, the media were, of course, an instrument of the ruling ideology. But, at the same time, they had an educational function - they opened the world to read-

ers and news channels had correspondents worldwide. But, as it often happens not only in Serbia and not only in this part of Europe but in the whole former world of socialism, the roar of freedom brought a change in social and economic relations in a way that everything ended in "wild capitalism", so the media world ended in “wild commercialism”. The former newspapers of the communist parties or socialist alliances suddenly became the newspapers of the secret services or new tycoons. The Bulgarian communist daily "Trud" has become a hotbed of tabloid reporting. This is just one random example.

But that’s not the worst…. The worst thing is that, in this part of the world, print media were never divided into tabloids and serious newspapers like in the West where the reader has a freedom of choice and is not exposed to a political commentary next to which there is a picture of one of the Kardashian sisters. How can I trust a political assessment of an event in editorial politics that tries to convey a political message to me with nudity in the comic book style? In short, the media have become more dependent on party policies than in the worst ex-Socialist times. Plus, a kind of media pornography has been added to this equation to make it easier to eliminate all meaning and understanding. As many people have said – these are the times of infotainment and mediocracy.

What are your first impressions of Belgrade and Serbia?

— Truth be told, I think there may be two Belgrades and two Serbias.

Sometimes, when I observe people, talk or just listen to them, I feel a certain fatigue, anxiety, worry, sometimes even depression in the air. It's as if too much history has rumbled through barely a couple of generations, and it's as if that history has yet to be "digested." But, on the other hand, there is also energy in the air, a new will for progress, for new relationships, for new values… It seems to me that this is nothing new in Serbia. Parallels could easily be drawn between today's social and political phenomena and various earlier stages of social and political life in Serbia. I hope that, in the context of relations with the EU, Serbia and Belgrade will increasingly take on the face of a modern, advanced, developed state and its capital city. Quite honestly, I feel great here. I feel like I am at home. In other words, we are not that different.

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Our Trade Relations are Intertwined in Every Economic Branch Greater cooperation is possible on joint projects of environmental protection, energy, infrastructure, and mechanical engineering. However, there should also be quality sources of funding whether domestic or foreign and, in most cases, government support

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hanks to the joint efforts

by Serbia and Croatia, economic cooperation between these two countries has improved and the trade has increased compared to previous years.

We talked with Luka Burilović, the president of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, about economic cooperation, boosting the existing ties, chamber meetings, and the challenges that both the Croatian and Serbian economies will face.

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What else can be done to improve economic cooperation between Serbia and Croatia?

— As neighbouring countries, our trade relations are intertwined, in every branch of the economy. The trade is growing and in 2019, it amounted to €1,288 million. Further growth depends on the price and quality of goods as the competition today is extremely stiff. Croatian companies from the food, processing, chemical and wood industries have the biggest interest in this cooperation. The reasons are proximity and knowing the market, product recognition and customer habits.

Greater cooperation is possible on joint projects of environmental pro-

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LUKA BURILOVIĆ President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy

We are closely monitoring the situation and are planning activities to annul the possible shocks in the global market

tection, energy, infrastructure, and mechanical engineering. However, there should also be quality sources of funding whether domestic or foreign and, in most cases, government support.

Currently, two such projects are being implemented in the Republic of Croatia - the overhaul of the Zagreb - Vinkovci railroad and the construction and overhaul of the Zagreb – Rijeka rail track, while the second is the construction of an LNG terminal. The first project will expedite the flow of goods to Serbian companies in export and import to and from overseas markets, and the second will provide Serbia with an alternative gas supply route.

The heads of the Croatian and Serbian chambers of economy are continuously highlighting good mutual cooperation. How do you see the current relations between the two chambers and to what extent are they now a driving force behind the cooperation between our countries?

— Our businesspeople often meet at trade fairs and are members of business delegations put together by the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the Chamber of Commerce and In-

dustry of Serbia (CCIS). They don't only make sales deals, but also exchange experiences, agree on the exchange of technologies and cooperation in investment projects. County and regional chambers also organize such meetings.

With the aim of better connecting our business communities, the Croatian Chamber of Economy has reopened the Croatian Chamber of Economy's Representative Office in Serbia, and the CCIS is in the process of reopening its representative office in Croatia. Earlier this year, before the outbreak of the coronavirus-induced crisis, the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia started preparing a business forum and B2B talks in Belgrade. If the coronavirus situation does not stabilize in the foreseeable future, we will probably opt for a virtual option of the forum.

Croatia is one of the largest investors in Serbia. On the other hand, there are very few Serbian investments in Croatia, and this ratio can sometimes be 16:1 in favour of Croatia. Which sectors have seen improvement in cooperation and more equal investments?

— It is difficult to talk about striking a balance between investments because our countries do not possess this balance even when trading with larger countries. Capital chooses the markets that it believes will bring it the most profit or round off the business.

From 1993 to 2019, Croatia invested a total of €869.4 million in Serbia, and Serbia invested €6 million in Croatia. According to the structure of Croatian investments, the most important investments have been made in food and beverage production, retail, wholesale and trade intermediation, production of tobacco products and chemicals and chemical products.

In terms of Serbian investments, I have to underline that, unlike Croatian investments in the said period, there was a significant withdrawal of foreign direct investment funds. Recently, Serbian businesspeople have shown a growing interest in investing in Croatia. Matijević Meat Industry bought the agricultural cooperatives in Negoslavci and Jankovci in Slavonia, while MK Group became the owner of Skipper Resort and the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in Istria.

What do you consider a special challenge for the Croatian economy this year, the year of crisis and pandemic?

— The biggest challenge is the decline in the tourist traffic on which, unfortunately, our economy is still too dependent. Everybody has been affected by the crisis and, after the initial supply crisis, we have also been experiencing reduced demand. So far, we have largely managed to maintain the employment rate, but the real challenges are yet to come.

Reduced budget revenues are very likely to affect the state's business with partners from the private sector in the second half of the year. Government spending is still a strong factor in economic activity.

The lack of tourism revenue will not only affect the strength of this sector, but also general consumption and sectors such as construction and commerce. This also applies to creative and entertainment industries, which cannot function normally for the most part.

We are closely monitoring the situation and are planning activities to annul the possible shocks in the global market, which will be most felt by the strongest part of the economy, that is export-oriented companies.

I am an optimist. We can already see from the number of tourists that are holidaying here that things are not as bleak as a month ago. But we must be aware of the seriousness of the

situation and all the risks if we don't want our optimism to be unfounded.

Tourism is certainly an industry that has been suffering the most from the consequences of the coronavirus crisis. Does Croatia have a strategy on how to overcome the crisis and improve the situation?

— The EU set of assistance measures, devised in May this year, includes a revised EU budget in the amount of €1,850 billion and a new financial instrument called the Next Generation EU, with a total estimated financial budget of €750 billion. These funds should be available from 2020 and distributed according to a new key, while taking into account the impact of the crisis.

This financial package recognizes tourism as an important economic activity for the first time and the branch that has been especially hit by the crisis. It has been said that tourism could record a drop of over 70% in traffic in the second quarter

Earlier this year, the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia started preparing a business forum and B2B talks in Belgrade

of 2020. The SURE programme, that covers part-time work, as well as other measures to maintain the employment rate, as devised the Government of the Republic of Croatia, will additionally prevent layoffs.

Still, this sector will need support for a much longer period. A new allocation and continuation of interest-free or low-interest credit lines are needed, as are grants for those companies which have recorded a decline of over 90% in their activities, especially small and micro-enterprises. We hope that a large part of the budget for tourism will be integrated as part of infrastructure funds, as this approach makes it easier for companies to access the funds

at the national level. Croatia should also use its comparative advantages such as the best epidemiological situation out of all Mediterranean countries and the structure of accommodation that ensures social distancing and lower flow of people, such as camps, secluded holiday homes and nautical tourism. We also count on domestic tourists, as well as tourists that can drive to our country.

This is an election year for both Serbia and Croatia. What do you expect from the new Croatian government?

— I expect the continuity of the very effective and good practice of implementing measures and activities carried out in recent months during the coronavirus crisis, as well as the continuity of economic and financial policies that have led us to a stable financial position just prior to adopting the Euro as our currency. The announced new measures, especially shorter working week, represent an excellent basis for preserving the

economy, with a special emphasis on the need to preserve the liquidity of the entire system. I believe that we can expect a further easing of business conditions, reduction of the tax burden on businesses and salaries and further removal of bureaucratic obstacles.

Also, and I consider this to be crucial, I believe that we have the capacity and competencies for targeted and quality programming of the use of EU funds in the coming years. Large funds await us, I and I would especially like to thank everybody who participated in securing these funds.

We also need to focus on the private sector and the development based on digital and green economies.

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There is a Lot Of Room For Cooperation Business and money know no borders and do not concede to political barriers. During the previous period, we witnessed various political disagreements, but economic cooperation is going well, which is good for both sides ince its inception, the role of the Croatian Business Club (CBC) has been to provide companies with information about the market, business conditions, customs regulations, as well as to help them find business premises and establish business contacts, says the president of the CBC in Belgrade, Marija Radulović.

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The CBC in Serbia was founded 14 years ago. What has changed in the business climate and business conditions in these 14 years?

— Business and economic environment have changed since the Croatian Business Club’s inception to date.

Since then a large number of Croatian companies have come or returned to this area. Just at that time, the re-

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MARIJA RADULOVIĆ President of the CBC

nowned company Badel returned to this market, a couple of years earlier, INA opened a representative office in Belgrade, and one of the largest food industries, Atlantic Group, was actively expanding in the region to include Serbia. The role of the Croatian Business Club is to provide market-related information to companies coming to Serbia. Now, the CBC provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises, both Croatian ones that are setting up their business in Serbia, as well as to local ones that want to cooperate with them in any way, either in the Serbian or Croatian market.

The economic relations between Croatia and Serbia are good, they are constantly progressing and are completely different from the direction that political relations have been taking. What are your impressions in terms of Croatian investments here?

— Business and money know no borders and do not concede to political barriers. During the previous period, we witnessed various political disagreements, but economic cooperation is going well, which is good for both sides. There are a lot of big investments in Serbia that are little talked

about which were made since the year 2000 and even earlier. For example, the Rasco Company, which was founded 30 years and does business on five continents, has made a very successful acquisition in Senta, where it operates under the name Rasco Tump and is engaged in the production of utility equipment and fittings. The Rotografika printing company in Subotica is also a very successful investment.

The aforementioned Atlantic Grupa has also made one of the most successful in the region here.

Is there room for improving economic cooperation and in which industries there is an opportunity to progress the cooperation even more?

— There is really a lot of space for cooperation - starting with cooperation in the field of new technologies through opportunities for joint production in smaller companies, especially when it comes to cross-border cooperation between Vojvodina and Slavonia. There is also an opportunity for the implementation of joint projects in the field of energy, environmental protection, storage and waste management. A number of other possibilities arise from all these opportunities, especially when it comes to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Parliamentary elections in Serbia and Croatia are finished. What do you expect from the new governments and how will the election results further affect not only the economic but also the overall relations between the two countries?

— I believe that the new governments should utilize the fact that our two countries are neighbours for Serbia’s faster accession to the EU, given that Croatia, as a full-fledged member of the EU, can and should try to help Serbia on that path, and Serbia should accept support if it wanted for the accession process to accelerate.

Serbia alone, small and micro companies employ about 630,000 people.

The situation with the pandemic and the consequences it brings will also be reflected on the families of these employees, but also on the small suppliers whose complete existence depends on such companies. Therefore, the state’s help is necessary for such situations, and we, as a business association, are here to monitor the situation, provide adequate and timely information and the necessary contacts to overcome this critical period as easily as possible.

Recently, the CBC held a seminar on the implementation of the new Customs Law. What conclusions and recommendations have been deduced from the seminar?

— In late June, the Croatian Business Club, together with the Slovenian Business Club, held a seminar for members of both clubs on the topic of new customs regulations and the application of the new Customs Law, which actively involved leading people from the Customs Administration. In addition to presenting the Law in detail in the most practical way possible, we heard about problems that companies have been facing from businesspeople themselves who participated in the seminar. Their questions were answered in the most practical and pragmatic way possible. Judging by the reactions of seminar participants, this gathering was a complete success because they were able to com-

municate with the representatives of the Customs Administration in such a concrete and open way. There are probably more questions that need an answer and did not come up at the seminar. Businesses can forward these questions business clubs in order to get adequate answers in further communication.

We are prepared to work remotely as we already have experience with that, so we will be available to our members for everything they need, even in these altered circumstances

What challenges do you expect to arise by the year-end given the ongoing crisis and how are you adjusting your plans accordingly?

— The challenges this year began in mid-March, when we, like many others, were forced to adjust the way we do business, and action plans for this year. Some forecasts say that the consequences of the pandemic could spill over to next year, but I think that we should not stop everything because of that. We will try to realize the activities we planned for this year, but probably in a different way. Of course, some of these activities will have to wait for a different time, but there is always a plan B so that business would not be left to chance.

The gatherings that we normally practice once a month will certainly depend on the possibilities, so in months when we don’t have planned activities, we will try to maintain active communication with all members. In any case, we are prepared to work remotely as we already have experience with that, so we will be available to our members for everything they need, even in these altered circumstances.

Both countries have implemented measures with the aim of combating the crisis caused by COVID-19.

How will this pandemic affect the companies, especially those in the SME segment?

— Research shows that more than 80 per cent of small businesses expect to suffer from serious consequences as a result of the pandemic, which will be reflected in reduced demand for their services and products in the post-pandemic period or for at least the next six months. A large number of them are forced with a prospect of reducing the number of their employees, and we should not forget that in

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Top-Quality Products Come First Only by expanding our portfolio we can ensure security and progress in our business

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OX - BG d.o.o., the company that has been engaged in non-specialized wholesale in Serbia since 2014 and for more than 25 years in the region, has included food products from renowned global producers in its product portfolio, consisting of over 5,000 items. We spoke with the company’s General Manager, Aleksandar Radojičić, about this topic and the cooperation with large systems such as Mercator S, Delhaize, DIS, dm, Lilly Drogerie, In Medio, NIS, MOL, Petrol and Uradi Sam.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, you have adapted your business operations and responded to market needs very quickly. How did you do that?

— As a relatively small company, we saw an opportunity to quickly transform ourselves in these challenging times, both in terms of work organization and in adapting our product portfolio. This way of doing business has enabled us to survive in such a

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ALEKSANDAR RADOJIČIĆ General Manager of ROX-BG d.o.o.

Our mission and vision are to deliver high-quality products to our partners that will meet the high standards of Serbian consumers

difficult situation where we are facing ‘an opponent’ on the opposite side of the spectrum that makes the entire global economy completely unpredictable. Truth be told, the state’s support for micro, small and medium enterprises means a lot to us during these difficult times.

You are constantly working on expanding your portfolio to include leading global brands. What are your guidelines in this?

— Looking back at our experiences so far, we have realized that only by expanding our portfolio we can ensure security and progress in our business. Our mission and vision are to deliver high-quality products to our partners that will meet the high standards of Serbian consumers. Recently, we have included food products from renowned global and brands in our product portfolio which consists of over 5,000 items.

These are Trolli, Kalfany and Pulmoll sweets that are made from top-qual-

ity ingredients. We are also representatives of the Telefunken brand, which has small home appliances in its portfolio, as well as beauty gadget brands such as Smoothskin, Tri Pollar and Geneo. In our car equipment and car cosmetics segment, we represent the German brand Nigrin, one of the world's leading vehicle care brands.

Could you tell us a bit more about your plans and future steps?

— One of the future steps is the opening of a special division of Rox Beauty, where we will offer our female consumers products that have never been sold in this market before.

Some of them include La PIEL, Gloria, Smoothskin, Geneo, Tri Pollar…

We see room for further development of our company in this segment in the Serbian market. Since online shopping has experienced expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also going to offer this option to our consumers soon.

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C ROAT I A

Economic Cooperation is on an Upward Trajectory While the bilateral relations between Serbia and Croatia have been experiencing various ups and downs, the connections between business people from the two countries are becoming increasingly tighter and more diversified, while the community of Croatian companies in Serbia is growing and developing at a rate of 40 per cent annually 66

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rade between Serbia and Croatia is growing, so in 2019, both countries broke records in that segment.

The flow of goods and capital between Serbia and Croatia no longer seems to be spoiled by the political relations that are constantly moving up and down. While political relations vary, economic cooperation is flourishing and it seems that even the fiercest political skirmishes between officials of the two countries cannot affect the now established and even excellent economic relations, which are on an upward path.

According to the official data, the total value of the trade between the two countries in 2019 amounted to slightly over a billion euro, which is a 3.4 per cent increase compared to 2018. The value of the trade between Serbia and Croatia, from January to September 2019, amounted to 820 million euro, which is again an increase of 4.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2018.

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In 2019, Croatia occupied the 14th place on the list of the biggest external trade partners of the Republic of Serbia

Economic relations continue to be marred by the perception of Serbian businesspeople in Croatia and the Croatian market are still closed to Serbian investments, but the recent results and messages coming from the Serbian business community are encouraging.

The belief is that trends will change and that there will become more favourable and that conditions for doing business would improve, particularly ones for investments. There are no economic reasons for Serbia not to invest because Serbian companies have advanced extremely technologically, financially and qualitatively. From 1993 to 2019, Serbian investments in Croatia amounted to only 8.5 million euro. On the other hand, Croats have invested more than 800 million euro here over the same period. Products of about 200 Croatian companies operating in Serbia comprise a good part of Serbian exports to Croatia.

In the first four months of 2020, the total trade between the two countries amounted to 322.8 million euro (-8.6%), exports of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Croatia amounted to 171.4 million euro and a 6.8% decline was registered relative to the same period in the previous year. At the same time, the Republic of Serbia’s import from Croatia stood at 151.4 million euro and recorded a decline of 10.4%. In the first four months of this year, there were no significant changes in the structure of products that are exported and imported. The export to import ratio stood at 113.2%.

In 2019, Croatia occupied the 14th place on the list of the biggest external trade partners of the Republic of

In the first four months of 2020, the total trade between the two countries amounted to 322.8 million euro

Serbia, and the 12th place in terms of exports to Serbia. Our exports to Croatia, in 2019, reached 567.8 million euro, which is a 0.6% drop compared to 2018. Imports from Croatia amounted to 518.4 million euro and recorded a 4% growth.

Up until 2016, Serbia recorded a constant deficit in trading with Croatia, which, in 2015, amounted to 65.1 million euro (slightly lower compared to 2014). For the first time in 2016, starting in April, Serbia recorded a trade surplus with Croatia on a month-to-month basis, which in 2016, amounted to 36.7 million euro. The export to import ratio was 108.5%.

The same trend continued in the fol-

lowing years and in 2019, Serbia recorded a surplus in trading with Croatia amounting to 49.4 million euro, while the export to import ratio stood at 109.5%.

EXPORT / IMPORT STRUCTURE The Republic of Serbia mostly exported the following products to Croatia (in 2020/3): cathodes and sections of cathodes made of refined copper; sunflower oil, for other purposes; vehicle fuel; edible sunflower oil; tanks and similar vessels; maize seed; women’s tights; constructions and parts of iron or steel, etc. Serbia mostly imported the following products from Croatia: urea (with 45% nitrogen) used as fertilizer; cement, medicines for retail purposes; electricity; corrugated cardboard (wellenstoff type); food products; ammonium nitrate, as a fertilizer; washing and cleaning preparations, etc.

MOST IMPORTANT EXPORTERS The following companies export the most to Croatia: Zijin Bor Copper doo; NIS a.d. Novi Sad; HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel; Agrano; Adriana Teks doo; Gordon; Elixir Zorka - Mineral Fertilizers Ltd. Šabac, HIP Petrohemija a.d. Pančevo; DAGCO doo Voganj; ADP doo Mladenovac and others. The following companies imported the most from Croatia (in 2019): Star Import d.o.o; Lidl Serbia KD; KIM-TEC doo, Belgrade; Nexe Cement; Podravka doo, Belgrade; Agroglobe doo Novi Sad, MD International doo, Belgrade, Vindija doo, Lajkovac; MOL Serbia doo, Belgrade; Atlantik Brands doo Belgrade and others.

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C ROAT I A

Unesco Intangible Heritage in Croatia There are 13 solo entries on the Unesco`s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and one entryMediterranean Diet, which is shared with other nations

1 ZAGORSKI ŠTRUKLI Probably the most traditional of Croatia’s traditional dishes, Zagorski Štrukli is a popular dish served largely in households across Hrvatsko Zagorje and Zagreb regions in the north of the country. Composed of dough and various types of filling, usually cheese, Štrukli can be either cooked or baked.

In 2007 Zagorski Štrukli were inducted into the list of Croatia’s intangible cultural heritage, maintained by Croatia’s ministry of culture.

T R A DI T ION

t's not just parks, churches and walled towns that contribute to Croatia`s shared world heritage. Unesco-denominated World Heritage Sites in Croatia highlight the natural and artistic beauties of Croatia. But, the cultural heritage of a country also includes intangible factors such as music, dance and unusual traditions.

To shine a spotlight on these "intangibles", Unesco has compiled a List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Croatia has 13 solo entries on this list and one (Mediterranean Diet) that it shares with other nations. We choose several from the list.

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Unescodenominated World Heritage Sites in Croatia highlight the natural and artistic beauties of Croatia

2 MEĐIMURSKA POPEVKA Međimurska popevka, a folksong from the Međimurje region, in the north-western part of Croatia, was historically predominantly a soloist vocal genre practised by women.

Nowadays, it is performed by individuals and groups, men and women, in vocal, vocal-instrumental, instrumental, monophonic and multipart renditions, as a musical genre or incorporated into the dance.

The lyrics are of great importance

lands on their heads like brides. On Whitsunday (a feast in the Christian calendar), they process from house to house, performing for the families they encounter. The family then joins in a larger folk dance and provides refreshments before the girls continue to another house. The next day, the party visits a neighbouring town or village and returns for a feast at one of the performers’ homes. The entire community assist in the preparations for the procession.

6 LACEMAKING IN CROATIA

and establish a basis for the classification into, among others, love, sad-melancholic, humorous and church popevkas.

3 THE BATANA ECOMUSEUM A batana is a type of traditional fishing boat found in Rovinj, Croatia. Important to the town’s trade and heritage, with craftsmanship methods handed down by families, it became scarce with the popularity of industrial models until 2004 when local enthusiasts started an association to help safeguard it and its associated practices (an old dialect and traditional songs). The not-for-profit House of Batana, with the support of the municipality, the Heritage Museum of the City of Rovinj, Rovinj Historic Research Centre, the Italian Community of Rovinj and an eco-museology expert created the Batana Ecomuseum to raise public awareness and provide training on practices linked to the batana.

A batana is a type of traditional fishing boat found in Rovinj

5 SPRING PROCESSION OF

LJELJE/KRALJICE (QUEENS) FROM GORJANI

The Procession of Queens is performed by the young girls of the village of Gorjani in the Slavonia region of north-east Croatia every spring.

The girls in a group are divided into ten kraljevi (kings), who wear sabres and men’s hats, and about five kraljice (queens), who wear white gar-

At least three distinct traditions of Lacemaking in Croatia persist today, centred on the towns of Pag on the Adriatic, Lepoglava in northern Croatia and Hvar on the Dalmatian island of the same name. The process involves embellishing a spider web pattern with geometrical motifs and is transmitted today by older women who offer year-long courses. Lepoglava bobbin lace is made by braiding thread wound on spindles, or bobbins; it is often used to make lace ribbons for folk costumes or is sold at village fairs. An International Lace Festival in Lepoglava celebrates the art every year.

4 MEDITERRANEAN DIET The Mediterranean diet involves a set of skills, knowledge, rituals, symbols and traditions concerning crops, harvesting, fishing, animal husbandry, conservation, processing, cooking, and particularly the sharing and consumption of food. Eating together is the foundation of the cultural identity and continuity of communities throughout the Mediterranean basin. It emphasizes values of hospitality, neighbourliness, intercultural dialogue and creativity, and a way of life guided by respect for diversity.

It plays a vital role in cultural spaces, festivals and celebrations, bringing together people of all ages, conditions and social classes.

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C ROAT I A

Rijeka Inaugurated as 2020 European Capital of Culture In February this year the historic Croatian costal city of Rijeka marked the start of its year as European Capital of Culture 2020, with a spectacular opening ceremony. Over 70 events for all ages and interests took place, culminating in a performance called 'Industrial Opera' representing the city's heritage as a port CLICK ON ICON 

he programme of events was inspired by the city's industrial heritage, migration and the sea. From opera to art, music and photography, the programme has been designed to appeal to both tourists and residents.

European Commission Vice-President for Demography and Democracy Dubravka Šuica on Saturday presented Rijeka Mayor Vojko Obersnel at the opening ceremony with a European Capital of Culture plaque and a plaque for the Melina Mercouri Prize, awarded by the EU for the excellent preparation of the programme. Commissioner Šuica said at the ceremony in the Croatian National Theatre that in 35 years of its existence the title of the European Capital of Culture had been carried by more than 60 European cities and that almost every one of them had been witness of the positive impact of that title, from the boost to the city’s economy to a sense of belonging to the Euro-

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On the very first day Rijeka offered more than 70 events for all ages, tastes and interests

pean cultural area, from the renewal of urban centres, fostering creativity to international recognition.

“The European Union is defined by the culture and values, by what we as European are and want to be,” she underscored. Rijeka’s motto “Port of Diversity” complements the EU’s slogan “Unity in Diversity”, Šuica said.

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY IN THE PORT OF DIVERSITY On the very first day Rijeka offered more than 70 events for all ages, tastes and interests. The programme took place at over 30 locations in the centre of Rijeka and includes a huge number of people, featuring numerous DJs, rock concerts, pop-up events on the city’s streets, children’s performances with songs and dance, humorous performances, a fashion show, performances by Rijeka writers and authors, dance nights for pensioners, and a gathering of rock bands from

the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. An entire river of people was part of the opening programme of the European Capital of Culture.

OPERA INDUSTRIALE IN THE RIJEKA PORT The central opening ceremony takes place in the Rijeka Port, a space that represents a strong point of identity for Rijeka. In the central artistic programme of the opening ceremony, Rijeka thematically gathers important parts of its identity in the Opera Industriale, based on the musical template of the Rijeka art duo JMZM – Josip Maršić (CRO) and Zoran Medved (CRO) – and on the orchestration of the Croatian composer, maestro Fran Đurović (CRO). More than a hundred performers will perform on the main stage, located on De Franceschi’s Pier in the Rijeka Port, as well as at other locations in the port, with the programme even involving a large part of the audience.

With the sounds of industry and welding sparks, Rijeka symbolically and proudly expressed its respect for the strength of the workers who built it and made it a modern city.

With references representing an homage to Janko Polić Kamov, Rijeka’s greatest poet and an uncompromising artist who heralded the arrival of the European avant-garde, Rijeka was affirming his stature in the context of Europe. This historical European anti-fascist position of Rijeka was also emphasized in the opening programme, reminding Europe of the fundamental social values on which it was built in the modern period, after the suffering of the last pan-European war. The powerful sound of electric guitars brought the propulsive energy of Rijeka’s punk and rock, which in their time represented the rebelliousness and boldness of Rijeka.

The programme was concluded by a

most powerful sound that has driven away winter since ancient times – the bell-ringers herald with tremendous noise the new era that Rijeka entered on 1 February 2020 as the European Capital of Culture.

Devoted to these themes, the Opera Industriale was performed live by numerous performers to backing tracks, combining sounds of the city, industry and noise, classical instruments, choral singing, ringing bells and sounds made by the audience, which is actively involved in the performance. Sound, music and noise, effects created by a combination of light and darkness, powerful symbols of Rijeka and Europe – this was the

A part of the audience also participated in the performance by ringing, cheering, making noise and creating light, transforming into a living instrument that represents the people

crux of the attractive opening ceremony at the Rijeka Port.

It was performed by DB Indoš – House of Extreme Musical Theatre, an intriguing Finnish men’s choir who rattle, shout and scream Mieskuoro Huutajat (FI), the mixed choir Jeka Primorja led by Igor Vlajnić (CRO), an orchestra of strings and wind instruments playing cello, bass, clarinets, trumpets and trombones, an ensemble of twenty-five Rijeka guitarists, ten drummers and a workers’ orchestra of grinders, welders and sparks. A part of the audience also participated in the performance by ringing, cheering, making noise and creating light, transforming into a living instrument

that represents the people – the most powerful part of the city’s identity.

OPENING CEREMONY IN THE CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE IVAN PL. ZAJC In the late afternoon, the ceremonial element of the opening of the ECoC had been held in the theatre, with short music and stage performances and welcome speeches, attended by high-ranking officials from Europe and Croatia – representatives of the EU Commission, ministers of culture of European countries, representatives of previous and future European Capitals of Culture, ambassadors, diplomats and more.

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C ROAT I A

A Year Rife With Challenges In 2020, when the pandemic has been affecting us all, the Croatian Business Club (CBC) has managed to maintain the predetermined level of activities and encourage communication and exchange of views among its members

"The Kopaonik Business Forum" - representatives foreign chambers in Serbia

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his year started with a lot of plans and several members of the Croatian Business Club showing their interest in getting involved in the Club’s activities, as demonstrated by the number of people who attended the session of the CBC Assembly held in January at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Serbia.

The re-election of the management of the Croatian Business Club was one of the main items on the meeting’s agenda. Ms Marija Radulović was unanimously re-appointed President, and Mr Stanko Krstin Vice-President of the CBC, given how successfully they have managed the Club so far. Ms Danijela Galov, the owner of CityLight, has been appointed a new member of the Executive Board, as a longtime active member of the Club.

At the meeting, there was a pres-

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entation of the Croatian Business Club’s involvement in the initiative called "Let's share the care - We take care of children together”, implemented by the SeConS Development Initiative Group which goal is to encourage employees and employers for more fathers to use the parental leave of absence. The initiative is aimed at exploring innovative models that should contribute to employees more successfully balancing work and private life in a gender-responsive way. The initiative was devised under the auspices of the "Gender Responsible Governance - Redistribution of Unpaid Care Work" project, implemented by the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom and the British Embassy in Belgrade.

At the onset of the pandemic, the Croatian Business Club also got involved in business support activities

The Kopaonik Business Forum was the next gathering place of the members of the Club, which, together with the Croatian Chamber of Economy and other foreign chambers in Serbia, organized the traditional International Coffee Break at the Grand Hotel. This was an opportunity for representatives of foreign chambers and numerous business associations to exchange experiences on economic cooperation and summarize their impressions from interesting panels.

At the onset of the pandemic, the Croatian Business Club also got involved in business support activities.

Together with 11 other bilateral foreign chambers of economy and business associations, the Club launched a joint initiative urging the Serbian Ministry of Finance to implement additional measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

H.E. Hidajet Biščević with a members of the Croatian Business Club

Croatian Business Club Assembly

A total of 12 organizations (the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Belgian-Serbian Business Association, British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businesspeople, Association of Italian Businesspeople in Serbia - Confindustria, Hellenic Business Association of Serbia, Dutch-Serbian Business Association, Croatian Business Club, Polish-Serbian Business Association, Slovenian Business Club and Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce) proposed additional economic measures, such as postponement of payment of payroll tax and contributions for small and medium-sized companies, easier access to bank loans, direct support in the form of subsidies or refund programmes and liquidity guarantees, as well as special measures for severely affected sectors (tourism and catering, culture, international transport…) through the cancellation of advance payment of corporate income tax and the abolition of payroll tax and contributions.

The consequences of the pandemic have also changed the direction of activities under the "Caring for Children Together" initiative. The process of involving companies in promoting the possibility of male employees using the parental leave of absence has been temporarily postponed due to many employees starting working from home. Therefore, a survey was conducted among over 300 employees on how much work from home affects the distribution of household responsibilities among the genders and the attitudes of men and women on the topic of child care. The results of this survey will serve as a basis for recommendations to employers who want to facilitate their employees working from home, especially in the face of a potential new wave of the pandemic.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Serbia, H.E. Mr Hidajet Biščević, hosted a gathering with members of the Croatian Business Club on June 18 in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic

The consequences of the pandemic have also changed the direction of activities under the "Caring for Children Together" initiative

of Croatia in Belgrade. After introducing himself, he said that he was ready to use his experience to contribute to the improvement of relations between Serbia and Croatia based on European values, which are very important for stability and progress in the region. Highlighting the need to boost the cooperation between Serbia and Croatia, he said that he had prepared project proposals for cooperation in the field of infrastructure and energy, such as restoring the navigability of the Sava and Danube rivers and called on the CBC members to propose ideas that would improve relations between the two countries.

In late June, together with the Slovenian Business Club, and with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, the Croatian Business Club organized a seminar on the topic of "Current issues in the implementation of the new Customs Law". Members of both clubs attended these interesting and useful presentations.

Seminar on the topic of "Current issues in the implementation of the new Customs Law

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TOURISM

Croatia's Medieval Towns Where can you find picturesque cliffsides, red-tiled roofed buildings, and romantic old towns all in one place? Simple, the Croatian Coast

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ware of the fact that the coronavirus has disrupted all of our lives, we bring you an overview of things you can do in Croatia, if it weren’t for the coronavirus. One of those “what if” stories talks about interesting the medieval town centers, hitting the hippest spots in Croatia sites, as well as ideas on how to travel like a local.

These are some of the best places to see and be seen--by day or after dark-in cities across Croatia.

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DUBROVNIK ON THE ROCKS Old Town Dubrovnik is an open air gallery of architecture, history, and culture. By day, foot traffic crowds the wide, polished-limestone street Stradun running through the city’s medieval center. Cruise ship crowds add to the crush. Is the most visited Dalmatian old town in Croatia. Founded in the 13th century, Dubrovnik’s old town sits in a basin, surrounded by its world-famous 83 feet high walls.

The best time to walk the walls is in

the morning before the sun becomes too strong. The trek around the walls can take over two hours with stops for pictures and refreshments at local bars and restaurants. Step away from the larger crowds and get lost in the flower-covered side streets of the old town. These side streets are where you really see the daily life of the residents of Dubrovnik. To get away from the city, visit the beaches just outside of the walls. You can relax and swim in the Adriatic at Banje Beach or take a kayaking tour from Bokar Beach.

SEIZE THE DAY (AND NIGHT) IN HVAR TOWN Hvar Town at the west end of Hvar Island is notorious for its noisy nightlife and non-stop party scene. This is where visitors arrive by yacht and ferry on a mission to breathe in the sea air, the lavender, and the 24/7 party atmosphere. Hvar Town even has its own open-air party room in St. Stephen’s Square, which has res-

Hvar

By day, the narrow, medieval streets of Croatia’s most celebrated Old Towns are crammed with people moving like a human wave from one historic point of interest to the next

Zadar

taurants on all sides. When the bars close, crowds spill into the square to party around its centerpiece, a 16th century well. Hvar also has become famous for hosting celebrities who dock their yachts in Hvar’s secluded coves and stay in private mansions to avoid paparazzi. However, every once in a while they party in Hvar Town where anyone can pretend to be famous.

GOING ZEN IN ZADAR Like many Croatian cities, Zadar is the product of thousands of years of occupation by foreign invaders. Illyrians, Romans, Venetians, and Italians all contributed to the city’s character by leaving their architecture, customs and tastes behind. Zadar’s center is a fascinating whole made of various parts like the 9th century St. Donatus church, a 16th city wall built by the Venetians, the ruins of a Roman forum, and five ornate wells and a water storage tank that enabled the city to sustain a prolonged attack by the Turks. A favorite attraction is the Gold and Silver Museum and its exhibit of elaborate, bejeweled vessels in the shapes of various body parts, each containing a bone or other relic. Paintings, church artifacts, and other artwork are on display, too. On the July night when the full moon rises each year, Zadar’s Riva turns off the lights and celebrates Croatian culture lit only by candles, torches, and moonlight.

LET`S SIT IN SPLIT Split is the largest city in the Dalmatia region and the base point for

Split

many island cruises. One of the major cruise ship and sea ports in Croatia, Split sees countless visitors each year. At the heart of Split is the old town. Split’s old town is a sprawling maze of tiny, cobblestone streets and restaurants. You can sit on the stairs of the Cathedral of St. Domnius and watch the tourists pass by or hunker down in one of the plazas filled with gelatorias and cafes.

Don’t miss the Diocletian Palace when you visit Split. Built for the Roman emperor of the same name, the palace resembles more of a fort as the complex makes up most of the old town. Many of the buildings in the old town were used as garrisons or outpost buildings when the area was a palace.

TROGIR`S BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE Trogir lies on an islet only 17 miles west of Split. Originally founded by Greek colonists, Trogir became a port for the Ottoman Empire until the city became part of the Republic of Venice. Sitting on almost 15 acres, Trogir’s old town includes a high num-

ber of churches, fortresses, and palaces. Because of Trogir’s historic past, the old town is one of the best representations of Romanesque and Baroque architecture in Dalmatia. Some of Trogir’s most famous sites are the Cathedral of St. Lawrence dating back to 1213 and the Cipiko Palaces that housed the city’s royal family during the 1400s.

ŠIBENIK THE OLDEST Šibenik is the oldest city in Croatia founded by the Croatians. The city’s old town sits right at the mouth of the Krka River as it flows into the Mediterranean. Many travelers use Šibenik as a base to visit the waterfalls and teal waters of Krka National Park.

You can walk through the old town’s small side streets as you make your way to the city’s historic Cathedral of St. James. The cathedral is entirely made out of stone and is the most important piece of Renaissance architecture in Croatia. Included in and around the old city are multiple fortresses. You can hike your way or take a boat out to them to see some of the best views of Šibenik.

Dubrovnik

By night, the streets still are crowded, but the throng is on a different mission: to have a good time Trogir

Šibenik

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