The Croatian government has adopted a special strategy that would guide the country’s relations with Croats abroad and which cements various privileges for the diaspora.
Those Croats living in other countries and who do not have Croatian citizenship will be able to obtain passports more easily in the future. Those whose current homelands ban dual citizenship will be eligible for the "status of Croat without Croatian citizenship," with which they would receive numerous privileges such as easier matriculation in Croatian schools and universities, the right to purchase property, apply for jobs and scholarships, and others.
The government is also working on a law that would guide the country's relationship with Croats abroad and establish a special body dedicated to the diaspora. The government also plans to institute a public day of Croats abroad. The date has not yet been set, the daily Jutarnji List writes.
"This is an obligation that we have according to the Croatian Constitution," the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said.
According to government data, there are some 3.75 million Croats living outside of the country’s borders. They are divided into three groups – Croats in Bosnia who are constituent people of that land (400,000), Croatian autochthonous minorities in 12 European countries (350,000) and the rest of diaspora (3 million), the majority of them residing in transatlantic countries.
These Croats will now also receive privileges during visits to Croatia, with the establishment of the so-called "CRO Card" that would provide discounts for certain tourism-related services. Those rights will also be extended to family members of Croats abroad, as well as Croats that do not have the country's citizenship or status of "Croat without Croatian citizenship." They would enjoy an accelerated procedure when it comes to getting a visa.
Deputy PM for Investments Domagoj Ivan Milosevic said that diaspora is a welcome investor in Croatia, since it has the capital, new ideas and energy.
The Croatian daily Jutarnji List writes that it is significant to note that the government's move comes in the election year. The leading coalition is headed by the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which has in previous elections found significant support in the Croatian diaspora.
The government is also working on a law that would guide the country's relationship with Croats abroad and establish a special body dedicated to the diaspora. The government also plans to institute a public day of Croats abroad. The date has not yet been set, the daily Jutarnji List writes.
"This is an obligation that we have according to the Croatian Constitution," the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said.
According to government data, there are some 3.75 million Croats living outside of the country’s borders. They are divided into three groups – Croats in Bosnia who are constituent people of that land (400,000), Croatian autochthonous minorities in 12 European countries (350,000) and the rest of diaspora (3 million), the majority of them residing in transatlantic countries.
These Croats will now also receive privileges during visits to Croatia, with the establishment of the so-called "CRO Card" that would provide discounts for certain tourism-related services. Those rights will also be extended to family members of Croats abroad, as well as Croats that do not have the country's citizenship or status of "Croat without Croatian citizenship." They would enjoy an accelerated procedure when it comes to getting a visa.
Deputy PM for Investments Domagoj Ivan Milosevic said that diaspora is a welcome investor in Croatia, since it has the capital, new ideas and energy.
The Croatian daily Jutarnji List writes that it is significant to note that the government's move comes in the election year. The leading coalition is headed by the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which has in previous elections found significant support in the Croatian diaspora.
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