The year of 2010 was successful for the Croatian community in Serbia, with plenty of positive events, however, there is a lot more work to be done, Consul-General of the Republic of Croatia in Subotica Ljerka Alajbeg has stated.

She told the Radio Subotica on Thursday evening that the improvement of Serbia's relations with Croatia contributed to the agreement on printing of school textbooks in Croatian language. This is only a small part of the work that must be continued in 2011, she stressed.

Alajbeg pointed out that the Croatian community must make sure that all its members freely declare themselves as Croats at the forthcoming population census.

"The Croatian community must show bigger commitment to the promotion of their own identity," she said. "It is obvious that there is political will, which is most important.

The agreement has been reached and we believe that this is partly the result of huge efforts of all of us, the people in the Croatian community and its new leadership.

For now, there is a positive environment and a climate which is much better than it was before," Alajbeg underscored. The population census from 2002 registered about 70,000 Croats in Serbia, and our main issue should be whether this number increased or decreased since then, she added.