The planned visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia in the first half of next year is important news that brings encouragement, hope and support, and it will be a historic event, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said on Saturday.
The Prime Minister said that "it is great and important news for all Croatian citizens and all believers in Croatia," adding that a state committee would be set up to organise the visit. She noted that it would coincide with another important event for Croatia -- the completion of European Union accession negotiations.
Kosor recalled the Holy See's support to Croatia at the time of the country's independence and international recognition as well as on its path towards the EU.
Early this year the Holy Father personally supported the agreement between the governments of Croatia and Slovenia to resolve their long-standing border dispute by arbitration, she said.
Kosor was speaking to reporters at Zagreb's Mirogoj Cemetery after a wreath-laying ceremony organised by her party, the HDZ, for All Saints' Day, observed on November 1.
