Croatian President Zoran Milanović has called on his government to begin the parliamentary process of recognising Palestine as a sovereign state, describing it as a necessary step toward ending the war and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

During a meeting in Zagreb with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, Milanović stressed that acknowledging the rights of the Palestinian people to their own state is the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East. He condemned ongoing attacks on civilians in Gaza and rejected any plans of permanent occupation.

The president affirmed he would continue to push strongly for Croatia to take swift action, urging the government to bring the matter before parliament without delay. For him, recognition is not only a matter of principle but also a moral responsibility in the face of immense human suffering.