Croatian PM Seeks Consolation from Brussels

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Croatia’s Prime Minister spoke with ambassadors of NATO and EU members in Croatia who told him inflation did not occur only in Croatia.

ZAGREB, CROATIA - The recently elected Croatian government held its first session today. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader greeted all the new members and immediately commented on inflation.

He said he had spoken about the problem with ambassadors of NATO and EU member countries in Brussels who consoled him by saying that the problem was not unique to Croatia.

- They claim that the situation is good in Croatia, considering the fact that Slovenia has a much higher inflation rate of about seven percent – Sanader stressed.

He again urged all social partners and the Croatian parliament to find ways to resolve the situation.

Croatia is not an isolated country, but the victim of everything that has happened to the global market, Sanader said, concluding that Croatia was facing a struggle in a bid to improve the living standard of Croatian citizens.

- The prices of provisions and fuel are going up, so Croatia, along with other European countries, are facing a struggle to improve the living standard of citizens, as well as to remove the consequences of climate changes, develop renewable fuel sources and healthy nutrition – Sanader said.

Continuation of discussion on ZERP

Croatia will access the EU in the next four years for sure, he said.

- I dismiss the pessimistic announcements of those who, I don’t know for what reason, see Croatia entering NATO in five to six years – the prime minister said.

In the past several years Croatia has made progress, which was confirmed by the European Commission in its report last November, Sanader said, adding that he was not denying that better progress could have been made in some areas.

He stressed that he had full confidence in all vice-premiers and ministers and that himself and members of his cabinet were prepared to realise the progress of all citizens and Croatian regions.

- I believe that this team will display harmony and unity and that at the end of the four-year mandate we will look back with pride – Sanader said.

The prime minister announced the continuation of negotiations regarding the Protected Ecology and Fishery Zone (ZERP) with Italy, Slovenia and the European Commission, that is, “the ongoing discussion regarding Italy and Slovenia's opposition to ZERP”.

- The problem of ZERP exists, we do not deny that, but we cannot deny Croatia’s right to proclaim ZERP either – Sanader said.