New ministers devoted to continuing where predecessors stopped
After days of a frantic search for the names of new ministers in public, the situation is calming down. Opposition social democrats (SDP) are flying on the wind of problems in government and biggest coalition party HDZ (right centre, maybe, we do not know for real).
Here are first statements of new ministers:
Gordan Grlić-Radman, minister of foreign affairs: “We (my wife and I) were very emotional and returned (to Croatia) in 1991 although we had a very successful business in Switzerland.” He considers Croatia's presidency of the EU in the first half of 2020 to be the greatest challenge in his ministerial term and that he is a "great optimist," in that regard. Grlić- Radman said that he has been a member of the HDZ "since day one". And, "a diplomat is someone who builds bridges", he said.
Marko Pavić, former minister of labour, now for regional development and EU funds: “I wasn't dismissed. The prime minister put his trust in me”.
Josip Aladrović, labour and pension system minister: "I would like to first mention that we will call social partners to dialogue and to resume activities within the Economic-Social Council (GSV)". The response from Unions was quick: “After the referendum on age limit for the pension would be called, we can talk about returning to social dialogue”.
Marija Vučković, agriculture minister: "We will continue just as we have started”.
Ivan Malenica, public administration minister: He said he would continue implementing projects of the digitalization of public administration and merger of state administration offices with county governments. "I think that it will be possible to finish all that in the next year, so that we demystify public administration in Croatia and restore citizens' trust,” Malenica said.
Asked whether he would scale down the powers of the Conflict of Interest Commission, Malenica said that he will see. "There is a bill on the matter and we will see what they refer to”.
Mario Banožić, state assets minister: “The state should keep control over the companies that make it competitive. I cannot now say whether the state should have five or six strategic companies and whether others should be on the market”.
Andrej Plenković in an interview for Dnevnik.hr: Why reconstruction of government: "The HDZ is a great party that understands the responsibility to the citizens. We want to allow the president to campaign without defensive features. We would like to do the preside EU without burden”.
Jutarnji list in his today’s print edition announced 5 commands of the new government:
- tax reform to the end of July
- new attempt for pension reform
- finishing educational/curricular reform
- sell 90 companies in state ownership
- undisturbed presidency of EU
President against Constitutional Court
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, president of Croatia, met with Ivan Penava, mayor of Vukovar. “I can not call the position of mayor of Vukovar contempt of decision of Constitutional Court. I see it as a call for closing the issues of the past and thus provide a sincere opportunity for the future”. This is a quote from press release after the meeting. President was explaining problems that citizens of Vukovar have because of an unresolved issue and the feeling of injustice.
President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and mayor of Vukovar Ivan Penava
"It is difficult to support mayor Penava and not be against the decision of the Constitutional Court, which is undoubtedly against the concrete decision of the Constitutional Court, and that is a serious conflict between the Constitutional Court and the President of the Republic of Croatia," said Milorad Pupovac, Serb minority leader in Večernji list. He thinks that this kind of conflict is useful for the President (having in mind elections where she needs support of right wing voters).
Zoran Milanović, SDP’s candidate for president, reacts: “The President shows an understanding of injustice, intolerance and inhumanity. And understanding for the contempt of Croatian Constitution”.
Prime minister Plenković gave hardly understandable statement concluding that “Penava very well understands what are his tasks”.
EU approves the preparation of documentation for new Bosnia-Croatia gas pipeline
Bosnia and Herzegovina's natural gas supplier BH Gas said on Thursday it had received permission from the European Union to launch a project that would connect the country's gas grid to that of Croatia. The new natural gas pipeline would run from Zagvozd in southern Croatia to Posusje and on to central Bosnia and Mostar. BH Gas said it hoped the new supply route, which would be independent of Russia, would be operational by 2023. Serb member of the Presidency of BiH Milorad Dodik was strongly against that connection saying that Russia is, through Serbia, reliable supplier. Hina
Assembly of Republika Srpska (RS) blocked legal action of BiH against Pelješac bridge
After heated debate where opposition was attacking Milorad Dodik, the Serbian member of Presidency of BiH for working in favour of Croatian interests, late on Thursday Assembly of RS voted for blocking the legal action against Croatia. More on hrt.hr
Croatia is building bridges
The Croatian government on Thursday decided to initiate the procedure for concluding an agreement with the Slovenian government for the construction of a bridge across the River Dragonja near the Kaštel-Dragonja border crossing in Istria County. The cost of construction is estimated at HRK 5 million (€676,000), which will be split between the two countries. Hina
The government gives go-ahead for "Personalised medicine in oncology" project
Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenković and Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Holding Ltd, pharmaceutical company
Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenković and Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Holding Ltd, pharmaceutical company
The government on Thursday gave the go-ahead to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Roche pharmaceutical company for the preparation and implementation of the project "Personalised medicine in oncology" aimed at improving cancer treatment outcomes in Croatia. The project aims to improve care for cancer patients by using genetic profiling to ensure targeted therapy, improve the quality of life and treatment outcomes, and reduce the mortality rate among patients suffering from malignant diseases. Hina