Politics

ZAGREB, 26 July 2022 - Slovenia on Tuesday sent a letter of congratulations to Transport Minister Oleg Butković on the inauguration of Pelješac Bridge, describing it as a historic day for Croatia. "Congratulations to Minister Oleg Butković and all in Croatia on this historic day and opening of the bridge that will make Croatia territorially whole," Infrastructure State Secretary Alenka Bratuš, said in her message on social networks. She also welcomed the fact that the main designer of the bridge is Slovenian architect Marjan Pipenbaher. "This has particular importance and reinforces the good-neighbourly relations and friendship between our countries," says Bartušek, a former…

July the 26th, 2022 - As Peljesac bridge opens after what seems like an endless wait, which government actually deserves the most praise? While SDP is responsible in the most part for pushing forward with the EU, HDZ was the one to sign the final agreement. As Faktograf/Sanja Despot writes, with both HDZ and SDP having played their respective roles, Peljesac bridge opens not only itself, but many questions about precisely who the most praise should be directed at. Competitive discussions about whose government is most responsible for its construction have started up again. President Zoran Milanovic (SDP) stated that he…

ZAGREB, 25 July 2022 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Monday the electoral and constitutional reforms the High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina planned to impose were balanced and constructive as they would preserve the constituency of Croats and their ability to elect their government representatives. Speaking to the press in Mostar, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Plenković said the international community's High Representative Christian Schmidt "has a very balanced proposal which will enable legitimate representation at the Federation level and government formation with minor changes." It is expected that Schmidt will impose electoral law changes that would prevent outvoting the Croats and obstructing government formation after elections, as…

ZAGREB, 25 July 2022 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Monday that Pelješac Bridge marked the achievement of Croatia's goal to connect its territory. "We are very proud of it," Plenković said during a visit to Mostar, southern Bosnia, and Herzegovina, ahead of Tuesday's opening ceremony for this largest infrastructure facility built in Croatia since its accession to the European Union in mid-2013. He said that this project would further strengthen the bonds between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The idea was to alleviate the flow of people and goods through Neum." Pelješac Bridge will provide an uninterrupted link between…

ZAGREB, 25 July 2022 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković arrived in Mostar on Monday morning and at the beginning of his visit he was received by Mostar Bishop Petar Palić and local Catholic dignitaries for the talks. During his day-long visit, the Croatian premier, accompanied by several cabinet ministers, is expected to hold talks with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Croat leader Dragan Čović, and also tour the southern towns of Čitluk, Čapljina, Stolac and Ravno. The visit of the Croatian PM is taking place against a backdrop of rising tensions over reports that the international community's High Representative Christian Schmidt is going to…

[class*="ezoic"], [id*="ezoic"], span.ezoic-ad.adtester-container {display: none !important;} July 25, 2022 - Ahead of the official opening of the Chinese-built Pelješac Bridge, TCN visits His Excellency Qi Qianjin, Chinese Ambassador to Croatia at his official residence in Zagreb to talk about the bridge, Chinese-Croatian relations, tourism and more.  1. The opening of the Pelješac Bridge on July 26 will be a historic occasion for Croatia, joining the county for the first time thanks to the Chinese-built bridge. How significant is this project from a Chinese perspective - I understand that the Chinese Prime Minister will be speaking at the opening ceremony by…

ZAGREB, 24 July 2022 - Strabag Hrvatska director Veljko Nižetić has said ahead of Tuesday's inauguration of Pelješac Bridge that the construction company will finish all works on access roads on time and in line with the contract. The works are worth HRK 478.3 million without VAT and the deadline is 13 August. Speaking to Hina, Nižetić said an annex to the contract signed during the works put the deadline earlier and that the works would be completed in line with the contract. Under the contract, Strabag was given the construction of a route of over 10 km, including 1,300 m on the mainland…

ZAGREB, 23 July 2022 - Bicycles, scooters, roller skates and additional equipment worth HRK 16,650 were given on Saturday to parents and children from Ukraine who have found refuge in Osijek and participate daily in activities conducted by Dkolektiv, a social development organisation from the eastern city. The money was raised in a cycling campaign organised by Dkolektiv and the Slagalica foundation as part of which cycling duo Igor Toman and Ivica Lenard cycled 540 km from Zagreb to Trogir on the coast. The objective was to raise HRK 15,000 but eventually HRK 16,650 was raised via 57 donations, said…

ZAGREB, 23 July 2022 - The HNS Bosnia and Herzegovina and HDZ Bosnia and Herzegovina group in the Federation entity's parliament have called on the High Representative and the international community to reject pro-Bosniak pressures, impose electoral law amendments, and prevent the Federation from becoming a Bosniak state and Bosnia and Herzegovina from breaking up. We call on the international administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina not to give in to pressures and to persevere in seeking solutions that will fully stabilise Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country of three constituent peoples and all its citizens, on Bosnia and Herzegovinas Euro-Atlantic…

ZAGREB, 23 July 2022 - The Croatian Medical Chamber (HLK) on Friday said that Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's comment on doctors being among the better-paid public employees was inappropriate and it countered with the explanation that those higher salaries were the result of their working additional hours. Asked about reports that a thousand doctors in Croatia had handed in their resignations, Prime Minister Plenković said earlier on Friday that he did not know about it, adding that doctors were among the better-paid public employees in Croatia. "The only ones that perhaps have a higher salary are air traffic controllers, who…