31st January 2012.
Croatia joins Multinational Corps Northeast!
On 30 January 2012, Croatia joined Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) in Szczecin, Poland, and became its twelfth member state.


on the picture: Rainer Korff (left) Tihomir Zebec (right)

22 January 2012
CROATIA EU REFERENDUM:
Croats told YES for EU membership
With 98 per cent of votes counted, the country's electoral commission says 66 % voters told YES for EU membership , 33 % voters told NOT.

Brussels, 20 January 2012
Croatia EU referendum: EPP President looks forward to historic vote
Following the completion of Croatia's accession negotiations with the European Union and the signing of the accession Treaty, the country will hold a referendum this Sunday, 22 January 2012, to decide if it will become the EU's 28th Member State. The President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, expressed his thoughts on Sunday's vote:  
“The people of Croatia are called this Sunday for a historic vote that will change the course of the country. Twenty years after Croatia gained its independence, the EPP and most Europeans will eagerly follow this Sunday's decision of the Croatian people, which will surely be guided by their nation's best interest. It has always been my belief that Europe will become more complete with the accession of Croatia, so I truly hope that on Sunday the country will embrace with confidence its European future and finally become a proud 28th EU Member State,” the EPP President underlined.
 
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank former Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and the HDZ for the tremendous work over the years in Croatia's EU accession process, as well as the work and support of the HSS and all other pro-EU parties and politicians in Croatia,” Wilfried Martens added.

NOTE: The EPP is the largest and most influential European-level political party of the centre-right, which currently includes 74 member-parties from 39 countries, the Presidents of the European Commission, European Council, and European Parliament, 16 EU and 5 non-EU heads of state and government, 13 members of the European Commission and the largest Group in the European Parliament.
EPP press /hia

9th January 2012.
DANISH PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS
Joining the EU is a great risk for Croatian democracy and economic stability 
The Danish People's Movement against the EU's believes that it is the worst time ever for Croatia to join the European Union. 
First of all the EU is becoming a more and more centralized union and Croatia's influence will be marginal.
Secondly the EU is in its worst crisis ever and Croatia does not have an opt out from the euro as e.g. Denmark. This means that Croatia will be bound to a currency union in great trouble. The welfare risks for the Croatian citizen are great. 
The Danish People's Movement suggests that Croatia should join the EFTA, the European Free Trade Association, instead of the European Union. Membership of EFTA will give the Croatian citizens possibilities to work, study, live and travel, trade in all EFTA and EU countries just like the citizens of the EU. However Croatians citizens will be able to have more democratic influence. And the Croatian economy does not have to be connected to the failing EU Monetary Union and the euro. 
folkebevaegelsen.dk

9th December 2011
CROATIA SIGNS ACCESSION TREATY
Jerzy Buzek's speech at the signing ceremony for Croatia's accession
-"We were proud to say a loud and decisive "yes" to the 28th Member State of the European Union".
-"Your country is a model, but we also need to send an encouraging signal to the rest of the region that the door of the EU remains open".more


5 December 2011
Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament on Croatian elections

BRUSSELS: Commenting on the results of the Croatian parliamentary elections, the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek stated:
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2nd November 2011
Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament on official visit to Croatia
"Croatia's forthcoming membership of the European Union is a historic event both for Croatia and the EU."I trust Croatia will remain committed to EU integration, as well as an active promoter of regional reconciliation."
more


27th October 2011
Lonely Planet: Top picks for Croatia
Varaždin is No 1 place
North Croatian town Varaždin has ended up in top spot of places to visit according to Lonely Planet’s guide of best tourist destinations in the country.

more



19th October 2011
CEREMONY
The CRAVAT, icon of modern civilization celebrates birthday

more

on the picture: the Tie Regiment


14th October 2011
CROATIAN PARLAMENT
The proposal Law for cooperation with Croats outside of the Republic of Croatia
New law will regulate relations between Croatia
and its Diaspora

more


7th October 2011
press:OSCE PA: Neil Simon
OSCE Parlamentary Assembly Fall Meetings in Dubrovnik
DUBROVNIK, Croatia, 7 October 2011 – President Petros Efthymiou and political leaders of Croatia, speaking today at the opening of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Fall Meetings, held up the progress in South East Europe as an example of successful growth that can come from international co-operation.

19th December 2011.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVONA, LJUBUŠKI
George Chuvalo back to his roots
The legendary Canadian boxer Georg Jure Chuvalo (wikipedia ) attends an unveiling ceremony in Ljubuski, Bosnia-Herzegovina where his parents were born. Chuvalo's monument was sculpted by artist Fabijan Tomic, unveiled by Croatian boxing champion Zeljko Mavrovic and the event organised by the Bosnian-Herzegovian Muay Thai Boxing Association lead by Ante Simovic. George was warmly welcomed by citizens, athletes and relatives alike. He was able to thank everyone in Croatian, though he was born in Toronto, Ontario.


Videography: Janet Alilovic



November 11, 2011
press release: NFCACF

WASHINGTON : DC -   Members of the National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA) were honored to again assist esteemed Cardinal Vinko Puljic of Sarajevo with his meetings schedule while recently in Washington DC.  Cardinal Puljic was in Washington for an official visit that included meetings at the US State Department, with Members of Congress, and at the White House for discussions with National Security Council staff.  In addition, he delivered several speeches before Washington’s influential foreign policy think tanks.
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from.lef.US senator Marko Begich
and Cardinal Vinko Puljic


24th October 2011
Vinko Grubisic:The Croatian States has an ambigouos attitude toward Croatian immigrants
on the picture:Vinko Grubišić

Vinko Grubisic, professor emeritus at the University  'Waterloo" in Canada, told the new issue of the Catholic weekly     " Voice of the Council", that the relationship between the Croatian Government towards Croats abroad has never been clear, and today is unclear, but ten years ago.
Someone remembered that - although it was not found a single irregularity - to abolish voting by Parishes and Croatian Homes outside the Croatia, warned Grubisic, a famos writer and linguist



Tuesday, 18th October 2011
Violi Calvert and Capt. Iv Vidos
Travels bring experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
Capt. Iv Vidos achievements and personality reflect well on Croatia

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9th August 2011
wrote: Joe Foley
NFCA Cultural Foundation 2011 Assembly of Delegates Convenes in Pittsburgh”

3.2.2012.
Statement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean
on the outbreak of violence in the Port Said stadium, Egypt
The outbreak of violence costing the lives of more than 74 people and leaving hundreds of injured in Port Said, Egypt, is a sad and shocking epilogue to a sporting event. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean would like to express its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy
recovery to the injured.
At the same time, PAM is concerned about the possible escalation of unrest
resulting from this event, and calls on all parties to refrain from fomenting
further clashes and, instead, concentrate on consolidating the achievements
reached so far, and continue to translate into concrete solutions the democratic
process started a year ago by the people of Egypt. press PAM /HIA



29th November 2011.
COMMANDER JOINT FORCE COMMAND NAPLES VISITS KOSOVO

KOSOVO: Today 29th November 2011, Admiral Samuel J Locklear, III, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, released the following statement regarding recent NATO operations in Kosovo. He was in Kosovo today to assess the current situation.
"The use of violence against KFOR troops is unacceptable. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and cooperate fully with all international actors on the ground to ensure freedom of movement without delay.

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