President: We Expect Blood, Sweat and Tears!

President Mesic says the recession can be seen by the closing of workplaces and layoffs, but that Croatia can handle it.

ZAGREB, CROATIA - The president of Croatia Stjepan Mesic said today that we cannot be happy with the state of the Croatian economy, and that if nothing is undertaken in this year, a hard situation will occur, but he considers that Croatia will be able to handle it.

“We are expecting blood, sweat and tears. It will be hard, but we can handle it” said Mesic in the Croatian radio program “Coffee with the President”, when asked what we can expect this year in the Croatian economy.

President Mesic says that the recession has certainly caught Croatia, and it can be seen by the closing of work positions and layoffs. He says that Croatia should not run away from that, and that they need to bring measures so that the recession is handled as soon as possible.

“Cabinet must monitor what is happening in economy”

Mesic repeated that the cabinet has the responsibility for the current economic situation.

“The cabinet has the responsibility for what occurs in the economy of a country. It must take measures, make a frame with their measures so that the economy is a success” he said. He stressed that the role of the executive government is to propose frames that will enable the positive functioning of the economy.

Mesic was asked if there was any inertness in bringing an anti-recession plan. Mesic answered that the Cabinet must monitor what is happening in the economy, and the analysis of the situation needs to include the Economic Institute, the Croatian Economic Chamber, the Employers Association, the Croatian National Bank (central bank), as well as the Economic Council, to get an opinion from the “trade and operations”.

“No crisis can be solved if the fiscal and monetary politics does not participate in it, as well as the economy” he explained.

Mesic was asked if the Economic Council served as a alibi to premier Ivo Sanader. Mesic answered that it would be good for it to continue functioning and to gain relevant data.