Dalje.com (English) (English)

Facts about wars prerequisite for reconciliation in region

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Coming to terms with the facts and accepting the truth about what happened during the wars in the 1990s in the area of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were the foundations for justice, stability and new relations in the region,...

Commercial banks in Croatia post Q1 gross profit of HRK 958.8 million

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Commercial banks in Croatia generated a total pre-tax profit of HRK 958.8 million in the first quarter of the year, according to unaudited figures for 31 banks released by the Croatian National Bank (HNB) this past Wednesday. The gross profit was HRK...

Forum on business cooperation in region held at Novi Sad fair

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

A business conference on food, which was held on Saturday in Novi Sad as part of the 80th agriculture fair in the capital of the Serbian province of Vojvodina, gathered owners and senior executives of food makers from Serbia and Croatia who discussed...

Bosnian federation president rules out resignation, insists on innocence

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The president of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zivko Budimir, who is behind bars during an investigation into allegations that he received bribes in reward for signing documents pardoning convicts, will not resign but he is resolute to prove...

Remnants of radioactive ammunition found in Sarajevo area

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Remnants of ammunition and missiles containing depleted uranium, which were used in a NATO bombing campaign against Bosnian Serb forces in the 1990s, have been found in Hadzici municipality outside Sarajevo, the Dnevni Avaz newspaper reported on Saturday,...

Croatian president to make three-day official visit to UK next week

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic will make a three-day official visit to Great Britain next week, during which he is due to meet with Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister David Cameron, senior government and parliament officials, business people and scholars....

Croatian Culture Week opens in Darmstadt, Germany

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatian Culture Week is being held in the southern German city of Darmstadt on May 18-26 to mark Croatia's forthcoming accession to the European Union, the Croatian Heritage Foundation says on its website. The event is organised by the German branch...

Novi Sad agriculture fair opens with Croatia as partner country

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The 80th International Agriculture Fair opened in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad on Saturday, attracting over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, including Croatia as the partner country. Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said...

Bosnia refuses EU recommendations for customs-free regime with Croatia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Bosnian authorities reiterated on Friday that keeping the present customs-free regime for imports from Croatia after it joins the European Union and expanding it to include other EU countries would be very harmful to the Bosnian economy, the FTV television...

International conference on ethnic minorities opens in Brijuni

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

President Ivo Josipovic opened a three-day international conference, entitled "Ethnic minorities in democratic societies", on the northern Adriatic archipelago of Brijuni on Friday, saying that the issue of ethnic minorities and minority policies and...

Chinese wish to build power plant in Bosnia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Chinese Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Dong Chunfeng announced on Friday that the government of his country intended to invest around EUR 350 million in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the coming period, of which EUR 150 million would be earmarked for...

Croatia to designate European Capital of Culture 2020

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

European Union culture ministers on Friday agreed on the order in which the member states were to designate Capitals of Culture in the 2020-2033 period, and Croatia's turn comes in 2020. The meeting was attended by Croatian Culture Minister Andrea Zlatar...

Djuro Djakovic, defence ministry ink HRK 140 mln contract

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Defence Minister Ante Kotromanovic and the CEO of the Djuro Djakovic Group Vladimir Kovacevic signed an agreement in Slavonski Brod for the procurement and equipping of armoured vehicles which are to be delivered to the Croatian Army over the next two...

Turkey, Malaysia praised as models of growth at Sarajevo Business Forum

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The growth expansion of countries such as Turkey and Malaysia can serve as an example to other countries provided that they are willing to make their markets open to foreign capital and that they are read to invest not only in the industrial sector but...

Britain to restrict employment of Croatian workers

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Great Britain is to impose employment restrictions on Croatian workers once Croatia joins the European Union on 1 July, while Denmark, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania will not do so, the embassies of these countries told Hina on Friday. The British government...

Engine drivers and management reach deal, strike called off

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Engine Drivers' Union and the management of the Croatian Railways (HZ) Passenger Transport company have reached an agreement, so there will be no strike on Saturday, the company announced on Friday. The conciliation process has ended successfully...

Croatia partner country at Serbian agriculture fair

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia will be the partner country at the 80th international agriculture fair in Novi Sad, Serbia which will feature more than 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries, reporters were told in Novi Sad on Thursday. Croatian Ambassador Zeljko Kupresak said...

Moody's upholds credit rating on HEP; outlook negative

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

A leading international credit ratings provider -- Moody's Investors Service -- confirmed the Ba2 corporate family rating (CFR), Ba2 senior unsecured debt rating, and Ba2-PD probability of default rating (PDR) of Hrvatska Elektroprivreda d.d. ("HEP"),...

Ashton congratulates Croatia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton congratulated Croatia on Thursday on its upcoming EU accession, saying its membership would also be good for other member countries as well as the entire region,...

Austria plans to impose restrictions for Croatian workers

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Austria plans to limit the employment of Croatian workers after Croatia joins the European Union on July 1, Hina was told on Thursday at the Austrian labour ministry. Austria will first impose a two-year restriction and then, based on the situation...

Bosnia to pay compensation for those acquitted of war crimes

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Bosnia and Herzegovina will have to pay former indictees for war crimes who were acquitted by the Bosnian State Court about EUR 190,000 in damages for the time they spent in custody, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) reported on Thursday....

Bundestag ratifies Croatia's EU accession treaty

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Bundestag, the lower house of the German federal parliament, on Thursday ratified Croatia's European Union accession treaty, bringing this process only a step away from formal completion. The treaty was ratified with 581 votes in favour, one against...

Assistant finance minister announces new borrowing

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Assistant Finance Minister and state treasurer Miljenko Ficor on Thursday announced that the state would take out new loans with the issuance of government bonds valued at seven billion kuna early July on the domestic market and another loan in Q4 of...

How to do business with China seminar held in Zagreb

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia and China have good political relations, and improvement of economic cooperation is most likely in the area of transport and distribution of goods, a seminar entitled "How to do business with China" heard in Zagreb on Thursday. The seminar was...

Pilots, flight attendants still on strike

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia Airlines' (CA) cabin crew and pilots unions continued their strike for the third day on Thursday as the trade union of Croatian Railways (HZ) engine drivers and a portion of employees of the Zagreb Holding utilities company walked out in solidarity...

Koncar signs EUR 13.4 million contract in Norway

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Koncar Generators and Motors (GIM) company has signed a contract in Oslo to upgrade two tube generators for the Klosterfoss hydroelectric power plant in Norway, the company announced on Thursday. The contract with Norwegian electricity producer...

Czech PM vows no restrictions on Croatian workers

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Czech Republic will not impose any restrictions on employment of Croatians upon their country's admission to the European Union on 1 July, Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas was quoted by the local CTK news agency as saying on Thursday. "I want to...

Serbia's PM says US supports his country

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Serbia's Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, who is on a week-long visit to Washington, has said the United States supports his country's integration into the European Union and has confirmed that he will attend in a meeting in Brussels on 21 May which will focus...

Expert commission makes 181 recommendations for Bosnia' Federation entity

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina should get a rational structure with a stronger role for its parliament and officials in that entity should be obliged to act responsibly toward citizens, according to 181 recommendations made by members of an...

Erjavec: Resuming proceedings against LB would damage Croatia s credibility

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

A possible resumption of proceedings against Slovenia's Ljubljanska Banka in Croatian courts would damage Croatia's credibility, Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec said on Wednesday at a session of the Slovenian parliament's foreign affairs...

Bosnia expels two Iranian diplomats

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Bosnian authorities banished two Iranian diplomats because of activities that were irreconcilable to their diplomatic status, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the Bosnian Security Ministry. Diplomats Hamzeh Doolab Ahmad and Jadidi Sohrab...

Bosnia lags behind neighbours, High Rep tells UN

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Valentin Inzko, called on the international community before the UN Security Council on Tuesday to continue supporting the representatives who wanted to move Bosnia forward, stressing that the country...

CA pilots and flight attendants will not concede to reduced incomes

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia Airlines' (CA) cabin crew and pilots unions continued their strike for the second day on Wednesday, demanding that their rights contained in the collective agreement valid until now be retained and claiming that they would not give in to having...

Unions want talks on fate of rail workers

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

About 200 members of the Railway Workers' Union protested outside the government offices in St Mark's Square in Zagreb on Wednesday, demanding a good solution for the operations of the Croatian Railways (HZ) Cargo company and the launching of social dialogue...

Minister recommends SMEs pay VAT when invoices paid

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Enterprise Minister Gordan Maras said on Wednesday he was recommending that SMEs and companies with a turnover of up to three million kuna pay Value Added Tax (VAT) when invoices were paid and not issued, which should facilitate the flow of money but...

CA loses 2 mln kuna due to striking pilots and cabin staff

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia Airlines (CA) lost around one million kuna on Tuesday due to a strike by the unions of pilots and cabin staff and if the two unions continue their strike the loss could exceed two million kuna at the end of the day, the management said on...

ZSE: Crobex down, Crobex10 up

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Trading on the Zagreb Stock Exchange on Wednesday ended with a mild fall in the value of the Crobex index, which slid 0.04% to 1,925.36 points, while the specialised Crobex10 edged up by 0.25% to 1,087.38 points. Regular turnover amounted to HRK 9.3...

Railway workers' unions hear minister out, refuse to talk to management

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Representatives of five railway workers' unions refused to talk to their management on Wednesday and walked out of the meeting after Transport Minister Sinisa Hajdas Doncic drew their attention to the need for the modernisation and restructuring of the...

Croatian parliament speaker meets with Polish president

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko met with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski in Zagreb on Tuesday for talks on the role of national parliaments in decision making processes in the European Union, Croatia's accession to the EU in time of a crisis,...

Engine drivers to stage 2-hour warning strike on Wednesday

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Croatian Engine Drivers' Union is organising a warning strike between noon and 2pm on Wednesday to draw attention to "the catastrophic situation" in the Croatian Railways (HZ) Cargo and Passenger Transport companies, while at the same time the Railway...

EU industrial production up at higher rate in March, Croatia also sees rise

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Industrial production in the eurozone rose in March from February at a higher speed than expected, and Croatia also saw a rise in industrial output, according to latest statistics from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. "In March...

Croatian-Polish business forum held

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Poland made use of its membership to the European Union (EU) in the best way possible and Croatia wants to learn from this experience, President Ivo Josipovic said on Tuesday opening a Croatian-Polish forum which is being held as part of an official visit...

Bricostore leaving Croatia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Bricostore hypermarket chain is closing its three stores in Croatia, CEO Philippe Bresson said in a letter on the company's Facebook page on Tuesday. He said Bricostore had sold all its stores in Romania and could no longer maintain business only...

Minister announces tender for exploration of central Adriatic

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Economy Minister Ivan Vrdoljak said in Split on Monday that by the year's end a tender would be published for hydrocarbon exploration in the central Adriatic. I expect the tender before the end of the year, in mid-2014 we should a contract, then two...

Repentin invites to follow French-German reconciliation model

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

France's European Affairs Minister Thierry Repentin in Zagreb on Monday called on Croatia and Serbia to follow the French-German reconciliation model, Agence France-Presse reported. Repentin is visiting Croatia together with German Minister Michael...

French, German ministers welcome Croatia to EU

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

French European Affairs Minister Thierry Repentin and German Foreign Ministry Minister of State Michael Link in Zagreb on Monday welcomed Croatia to the European Union, saying their visit was primarily symbolic. I came here with Michael Link for a joint...

Croatia Airlines will transport all passengers despite Tuesday strike

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia Airlines (CA) management on Monday reported that despite a strike which has been announced for Tuesday by pilot, flight attendant and ground staff unions, all passengers would be catered for and flown to their destinations. We have prepared...

Major gas pipeline in Dalmatian hinterland put into operation

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The fourth section of the Lika-Dalmatia gas pipeline, which consists of a 96.5 kilometres of pipeline from Benkovac to Dugopolje in the Dalmatian hinterland and was constructed by the national gas operator Plinacro with HRK 277.7 million, was put...

Poland's PZU interested in Croatia Osiguranje insurer

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Representatives of Poland's biggest insurance company, PZU, said in Zagreb on Monday they were interested in investing in Croatia Osiguranje (CO) as part of its privatisation and in having the Croatian state remain a "strong but friendly" shareholder...

Greens appeal to PM and EBRD to scrap Ombla project

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

About 40 civil society organisations from throughout Croatia and international organisations, including Friends of the Earth International, Bankwatch and Justice and Environment, have sent letters to Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and the President of...

Croatian Airlines unions announce strike if agreement not reached

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Leaders of three unions representing workers at Croatia Airlines (CA) announced on Monday that they would hold a strike on Tuesday starting at 6 a.m. but left open the possibility of reaching a deal with management before the strike started. Unions...

HTZ invites bids for Strategic Marketing Plan for Croatian Tourism

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Croatian Tourism Board (HTZ) has issued an international tender for the design of a Strategic Marketing Plan for Croatian Tourism for the 2014-2020 period. The tender was advertised last week and the deadline for submission of bids is May 29, the...

No reason for planned engine drivers' strike, management says

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The chairman of the management board of Croatian Railways (HZ) Infrastructure, Darko Pericic, said on Monday that there was no reason for workers to strike or for a protest rally announced for this week. Last week the Engine Drivers' Union called a...

Diplomat vows continuation of Croatia's support to Serbia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia's Ambassador in Belgrade, Zeljko Kupresak has stated in his interview with the local newspaper "Danas" that upon its entry into the European Union on 1 July, Croatia will continue supporting Serbia's EU integration aspirations and will not misuse...

Burial held in Bratunac for 15 Bosniak victims found in mass grave

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The remains of 15 Bosniaks, killed in the eastern Bosnian town of Bratunac in May 1992 at the outbreak of the war, were buried in the local cemetery on Sunday after those victims were unearthed from a multiple grave at the Suha area. The oldest victim...

68th anniversary of Mauthausen camp liberation marked

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Wreath-laying ceremonies and a march of delegations of some 40 countries, including Croatia, were held on Sunday at the site of the WW2 Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the liberation of that Nazi-run camp in...

Croatia's real estate asking prices down

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia's real estate asking prices were lower on the average by 0.2% this April when compared to March, and they fell by 4.8% on the year, according to statistics kept by the CentarNekretnine real estate agency. In the capital of Zagreb, asking prices...

Marking of Europe Weeks ends

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The marking of Europe Week, during which Croatian citizens could find out about the European Union which they will join on July 1, ended in Zagreb on Saturday with a programme offering information about European institutions, member countries and education...

Commemoration to Bleiburg victims begins

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

A commemoration marking the 68th anniversary of the suffering of soldiers of the 1941-45 Independent State of Croatia and civilians began at Bleiburg field in Austria at noon on Saturday. As of last year, the commemoration is no longer held under the...

EU accession to bring Croatian economy new opportunities

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia's accession to the European Union will give small enterprises, the generator of every economy, more development and growth opportunities through the EU's structural funds, it was concluded on Saturday at a national seminar on the economy and enterprise...

Croatia Airlines unions to begin strike on Tuesday

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Three unions active in Croatia Airlines (CA) announced on Friday that the national air carrier's employees would begin a strike on May 14 which would last until their demands were met, the most important being the retaining of all rights acquired under...

Josipovic and Pahor attend Croatian-Slovenian business forum in Zagreb

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia and Slovenia are among the most important trading partners to each other, and Croatia's entry into the European Union will be an opportunity for them to raise their partnership to a higher level through joint participation in major projects and...

President pushes for synergy between government and business

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Optimism cannot be built on sheer desire but requires results and we need to highlight positive and successful examples, President Ivo Josipovic said on Friday opening a panel discussion on the economy and enterprise called "Towards European Union (EU)...

Union demands withdrawal of dismissals

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The HUS trade union federation on Friday asked for a stay in procedures which were initiated two days ago by the Croatia Airlines management to fire 42 flight attendants and cabin crew members all of whom in three days went on a sick leave from 29 April...

Collective agreement signed at INA

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The management board of the INA oil and gas group on Friday signed a collective agreement with the Independent Trade Union of Energy, Chemical and Non-Metal Workers (EKN) and the Oil Workers' Union (SING), while the INA Workers' Union (Inas) refused to...

German and French ministers to visit Croatia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

French Minister for European Affairs Thierry Repentin and German Minister of State Michael Link will visit Zagreb on Monday and meet with Croatia's highest officials to discuss Croatia's forthcoming accession to the European Union, according to a joint...

Council of EU to decide on Croatia-Bosnia border crossing regime in June

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Council of the European Union will decide early next month on Croatia's request to allow citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to enter Croatia with a valid ID card after it joins the EU on July 1, a spokesman for the EU Delegation in Sarajevo told the...

UniCredit expects Croatia to attract EUR 900 mln in foreign investments

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

About 900 million euros could pour into Croatia this year in the form of foreign direct investments, while its economy could see a decline of 0.8%, the Italian-based banking and finance group UniCredit said on Friday. Among countries of Central and...

Polish president to visit Croatia next week

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski will make an official visit to Croatia on May 13-14 at the invitation of his Croatian counterpart Ivo Josipovic, the Croatian President's Office announced in a pressa release on Friday. The Polish president will...

HNB: Economic activity stagnating

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The start of 2013 in Croatia was marked by a stagnation of economic activity, the Croatian National Bank (HNB) says in its May report on economic trends in the country. There was a substantial drop in exports, while at the same time domestic demand...

Pahor: Ljubljanska Banka issue could be settled in Basel

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Slovenian President Boris Pahor said on Thursday that both Slovenia and Croatia had become aware of the limitations of their Memorandum of Understanding concerning the settlement of the Ljubljanska Banka issue, adding that a solution to the issue could...

Josipovic, Pahor urge governments to continue with LB solution efforts

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia is not in breach of the agreement on the settlement of the Ljubljanska Banka (LB) issue and the matter will be dealt with in line with the memorandum signed by the Croatian and Slovenian governments, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said on Thursday....

Fuele: Croatia to face new challenges after EU entry

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

With its entry into the European Union on July 1, things in Croatia will not change overnight as the country will face new challenges, primarily economic reforms in order to increase its competitiveness and growth prospects, EU Enlargement Commissioner...

Adriatic Boat Show opens in Sibenik

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The fifth international Adriatic Boat Show opened on Thursday in the central Adriatic coastal town of Sibenik with about one hundred vessels and relevant equipment put on display. This year the fair was set up on the Sibenik waterfront and not at the...

Government co-funds infrastructure development projects in 9 seaports

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure this year is financing with 26.5 million kuna nine infrastructure development projects in as many sea ports, which will ensure quality basic infrastructure for state-run shipping lines and...

Creditors adopt restructuring plan for Konstruktor company

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Creditors of the Split-based construction company Konstruktor on Thursday adopted a restructuring plan giving the company a chance to survive. The largest creditors are commercial banks and the government, and they are expected to become owners of Konstruktor...

Gov't proposes hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation bill

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The government sent to parliament on Thursday a bill on hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation to facilitate the obtaining of concessions and improve legal security and flexibility in oil and gas investment projects. The passage of such a law is...

Croatia to introduce euro when it has competitive economy, says Pusic

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatian People's Party (HNS) president and First Deputy Prime Minister Vesna Pusic said in Bjelovar on Wednesday that Croatia would keep the national currency and not opt for the euro until it had a competitive economy. Asked by the press to comment...

Council endorses annual report on HNB performance in 2012

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Council of the Croatian National Bank (HNB) on Thursday considered the current trends in the monetary and economic sectors and endorsed an annual report on the central bank's performance in 2012, the HNB said in a press release, The Council also...

Diplomat rules out any more conditions from EU for Serbia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert on Wednesday said in Belgrade that Brussels had not changed the existing conditions set for Serbia on its pathway to the European Union (EU) nor had it set any new conditions and...

Josipovic-Pahor meeting to give new impetus to Croatia-Slovenia relations

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Slovenia's President Borut Pahor will pay a two-day official visit to Croatia on 9-10 May, and the first official meeting between Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and his Slovenian counterpart Pahor, since the latter stepped into office, is viewed as...

New SMEs bill presented

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The government will next week adopt a bill on small businesses with the aim of setting a legislative framework to stimulate the development of SMEs and facilitate their positioning on the market, offer them greater security and help them in doing business,...

Economy Ministry unveils tender for grants to manufacturing sector

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Ministry of the Economy on Wednesday unveiled a tender for the award of 120 million kuna in grants to the manufacturing sector this year. The tender will be open until May 28 and this will be the last year when grants are awarded under the present...

Bosnia, Serbia and Turkey continue to strengthen trilateral cooperation

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Political relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Turkey are very good and will be used to further promote economic ties and joint ventures on foreign markets, the foreign ministers of the three countries said in Sarajevo on Wednesday. Foreign...

Croatia to terminate no-visa agreement with Bosnia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Croatian government will initiate a procedure to terminate the agreement with the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina on abolishing visa requirements because Croatia will have to apply the European Union's visa regime as of its accession...

Exhibition of Austrian contemporary art opens in Zagreb

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

An exhibition of Austrian contemporary art, entitled "Desiring the Real. Austria Contemporary", opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb on Tuesday evening. The exhibition, featuring works by 22 young and middle-generation artists, was organised...

Croatian engine drivers announce two-hour warning strike for May 15

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Croatian Engine Drivers' Union said on Wednesday that it would organise a warning strike between noon and 2pm on May 15 to draw attention to "the catastrophic situation" in Croatian Railways (HZ) Passenger Transport and Cargo companies, while at the...

International conference of experts on natural gas opens in Opatija

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The 28th international conference of experts on natural gas opened in the northern Adriatic resort of Opatija on Wednesday, drawing about 500 experts from 20 countries who will be discussing over the next three days development of the gas business, the...

Serbian officials see Serbia's future in EU

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolic and Prime Minister Ivica Dacic in separate statements to the press over the past two days have said that Serbia's future is tied to the European Union which they consider to be one of their most significant partners...

Ex-premier in Serb entity acquitted of war crimes

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Former prime minister of the Bosnian Serb entity Gojko Klickovic was cleared of war crimes charges on Tuesday, according to a ruling handed down the appellate chamber of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Klickovic and Mladen Drljaca, the other...

Slovenia and Croatia worst in Europe for perception of corruption

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The perception of corruption in the economy in Europe is worst in Slovenia, immediately followed by Croatia, which is significantly higher than the European average, the latest survey by Ernst & Young shows. Responding to a question whether corruption...

Decision on how to privatise HPB and CO by month's end, says FinMin

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The government is to decide on a model for privatisation of the Hrvatska Postanska Banka (HPB) bank and the Croatia Osiguranje (CO) insurance company by the end of this month, and the sale of shares from the two companies is to be completed by this autumn,...

Investments are key to recovery, says PM

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The decline in investments is the basic reason for the crisis and re-launching them is the key to recovery, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said on Tuesday at the final presentation of the government's measures to encourage investments and restructure...

Commission recommends changes to Federation entity structure

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

An expert commission set up by the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina to make its recommendations on how to restructure the Bosnian Federation entity has completed its work and recommended 180 changes and measures without taking a clear position on...

Slovenian media: Pahor's visit to Zagreb coincides with LB court hearing

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

lovenia's President Borut Pahor is to visit Zagreb on Thursday and Friday for his first official visit since stepping into office and some Slovenian media reported on Tuesday that the visit is coinciding with a new hearing set for Thursday at Zagreb's...

Oxford to host Arthur Evans in Dalmatia symposium May 10

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

An archaeological symposium called "Sir Arthur Evans in Dalmatia", on the travels and discoveries of the British archaeologist, will be held at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford on May 10 as part of "Welcome Croatia", a festival being held on the occasion...

IMF clears USD 51 mln for Bosnia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The International Monetary Fund approved US$ 51 million in aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday after the world finance organization found that the country was keeping its finances in check, Reuters reported. One of the main conditions for receiving...

Kosovo confirms arrest of Kelmendi, wanted in Bosnia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The police in Kosovo on Monday notified the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina that they had apprehended Naser Kelmendi, suspected of trafficking drugs to Europe through the Balkans, however Pristina informed that it could not hand over Kelmendi to...

Interview scheduled for Neven Mimica for European Commissioner on 4 June

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia's first European Commissioner Neven Mimica who has been appointed EC commissioner-designate for consumer protection will be interviewed by the European Parliamentary Committee for Interior Market and Consumer Protection on 4 June, the parliament's...

Deputy PM says Serbia won't resort to force to protect its interests

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Serbia will find ways how to protect its interest without resorting to force, Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Aleksandar Vucic said in Belgrade on Monday ahead of his meeting with Kosovo Serbs, due to be held in Belgrade on Tuesday....

Croatian retail trade decline decelerates to 2.1% in March

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia's retail trade fell by 2.1% in March year on year, which was a contraction smaller than expected and smaller than it was the case in February, according to preliminary figures released by the Croatian national statistical office on Monday. According...

Foreign minister, EU Delegation chief open 14th Europe Week

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusic and the chief of the European Union Delegation to Croatia, Paul Vandoren, opened in Zagreb on Monday the 14th Europe Week, the last before Croatia's EU accession, with Vandoren saying Croatia's EU path...

NATO conference on non-proliferation opens in Split

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

NATO's annual conference on non-proliferation began in the Croatian seaport of Split on Monday, with more than 100 representatives from 50 countries attending. The event was opened by Deputy Foreign Minister Josko Klisovic and NATO Assistant Secretary...

Croatia can be example to all of Europe, says Muslim dignitary

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia can be an example to all of Europe of how to treat a minority, the head imam of the Rijeka Islamic Community Majlis, Hajrudin Mujkanovic, was quoted as saying in Sarajevo's Dnevni Avaz daily of Monday in comment on the opening of an Islamic centre...

Lindstroem opens centre for workwear rental and laundry services in Zagreb

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Textile service company Lindstroem has opened a centre for textile rental service in Zagreb's suburb of Jankomir, this Finnish Textile service group said on Monday. Lindstroem arrived in Croatia in 2012 when it announced establishing a local company...

Crime boss Keljmendi reportedly arrested in Kosovo

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Kosovo police have arrested Naser Keljmendi, the leader of one of the most brutal criminal organisations in the Balkans responsible for murders, drug trafficking and other serious crimes, electronic media in Bosnia and Herzegovina reported on Monday....

Koncar attending Indian fair

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Representatives of the Croatian electrical engineering company Koncar are attending a HydroVision fair and conference in Mumbai on May 6-8, the company said in Monday. HydroVision is the biggest regional hydroenergy fair in the region which usually...

Patriarch Irinej leads Easter Vigil in Belgrade

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The celebration of Orthodox Easter in Serbia began with an Easter Vigil led by Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade's Saint Sava Temple on Sunday, with senior state officials and representatives of all religious communities in Serbia attending. In his sermon,...

Latest list of tax debtors released: 93,887 owe EUR 3.02 bln

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Ministry of Finance released the latest list of tax debtors earlier in he week which shows that 93,887 taxpayers owe the state HRK 22.95 billion in total. This is the fourth list to be released by the ministry and it includes all tax debtors whose...

Farmers urge minister to call meeting over milk prices

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Independent Farmers of Croatia association on Sunday called on Agriculture Minister Tihomir Jakovina to convene an urgent meeting over announcements that milk prices would go up and to adopt an intervention plan to save Croatia's dairy industry, which...

HDZ: Bajrambasic's statement about Peljesac bridge incorrect

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County branch of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party said on Saturday that the Bosnian Assistant Minister of Transport and Communications, Izet Bajrambasic, had said several things about the construction of the Peljesac bridge...

Minister hopes higher milk price will raise purchase price from farmers

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Agriculture Minister Tihomir Jakovina said on Saturday that his ministry did not define prices of milk and dairy products but was hopeful that the price increase proposed by dairy plants due to business difficulties included a higher purchase price of...

Bosnian police agency has just begun fighting corruption

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The chief of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Investigation and Protection Police Agency (SIPA), Goran Zubac, has said that SIPA has just embarked on a fight against widespread corruption in the country after filing corruption reports against a dozen ministers,...

Croatia will consult Bosnia about Peljesac bridge, says Pusic

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia will consult Bosnia and Herzegovina about the construction of the Peljesac bridge, Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic says in Sarajevo's Dnevni Avaz daily of Saturday. She reiterated that a European Commission preliminary feasibility study...

Bosnian Federation President Budimir remanded in custody

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Bosnian State Court's appeals chamber on Friday upheld a decision to set one month's detention for Zivko Budimir, President of the Federation entity, and four other persons on suspicion of corruption. The chamber dismissed the defence lawyers' appeals...

PM: Story of LNG terminal on Krk coming up soon

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic on Friday said in Rijeka that it was just a matter of months when the story of the construction of the LNG terminal would be closed but there won't be any discussion about it until the entire story was complete, Prime Minister...

EC: Recession in EU to continue in 2013, gradual recovery next year

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The European Commission for this year foresees the continuation of recession in the eurozone with a fall in GDP of 0.4% and unemployment could rise over 12% while figures for the European Union altogether foresee a fall in GDP of 0.1% and an unemployment...

Food plant inaugurated in Barban business zone in Istria

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The IZO company that manufactures machines used in baking industry opened a new plant in Barban, Istria County which is the first in that business zone and the plant was officially opened by SME Minister Gordan Maras. The new plant will employ 20 people...

PM vows upgraded railway between Rijeka and Hungary by 2020

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, who on Friday visited the seaport of Rijeka, together with European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas and Croatia's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Sinisa Hajdas Doncic, said that he was sure that by the...

More than half its citizens believe Serbia on right path

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

More than half the citizens of Serbia believe that the country is on the right path, 33 per cent think the opposite, but at the same time 55 per cent have confidence that the incumbent government can fix the situation in the country, according to the...

Bosnia's PM: Croatia has legitimate right to link its south with bridge

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Council of Ministers, Vjekoslav Bevanda, said on Friday that it was a legitimate request by Croatia to connect its southernmost part with the rest of the country by a bridge to the Peljesac peninsula, particularly...

Council of Europe study warns of prison overcrowding

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Overcrowded prisons are a problem in half of European countries, and some of them have over 150 prisoners per 100 places, the Council of Europe warned in a report on Friday. The Council of Europe's 2011 Penal Statistics survey found that the most crowded...

Croatia ranks 64th in 2013 World Press Freedom Index

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia ranks 64th in the 2013 World Press Freedom Index of the media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, moving up four spots from last year. The index was published ahead of World Press Freedom Day which is observed on May 3. "For Croatia (64th, +4),...

Croatia Airlines flights back to normal

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatian Airlines (CA) flights have been restored after disruptions caused by a large number of its cabin crew staff going on sick leave, and the national carrier plans to operate all flights according to schedule on Friday. Since at this point there...

EC expects Croatian economy to shrink 1% this year

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The European Commission has revised down its growth forecast for Croatia and now expects the Croatian economy to contract 1% this year, while 2014 should see a marginal growth of 0.2%. The Commission on Friday published its spring forecast for the 2013-2014...

Vilim Ribic: We can run in elections if members request so

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Unions didn't have the intention of dealing with party politicking, however, if the government proposes that unions run in elections they can if union membership says so, the head of the one of Croatia's major unions, Vilim Ribic said on Thursday. Ribic...

HEP: Binding offers for Plomin C to be submitted by end of October

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Croatian power company HEP has provided three qualified bidders with all documents required for the submission of binding offers in the process of selecting a strategic partner for the construction and management of the Plomin C thermal power plant....

Croatian power provider posts net profit of HRK 71.2 mln

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP Group), the national company engaged in electricity production and distribution as well as in heat supply and gas distribution, netted a consolidated profit of HRK 71.2 million in 2012, as against 7.8 million kuna in 2011,...

Crobex drops 0.29%

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) indices -- the Crobex and the specialised Crobex10 -- on Thursday went down by 0.29% to 1,942.72 points and by 0.07% to 1,091.66 points respectively. Today's regular trading totalled HRK 33.2 million, and one third of...

Gov't provides collateral for HAC loan

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The government on Thursday decided to ensure collateral for a HRK 75 million loan which the Croatian motorway operator (HAC) will take from the Hrvatska Postanska Banka (HPB) for the purpose of severance packages for the lay-offs. The term for servicing...

Feasibility study shows Peljesac bridge best option, says foreign minister

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The feasibility study commissioned by the European Commission has shown that the Peljesac bridge is the best option to connect Croatia's south with the rest of the country, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusic...

Government will protect state property, says PM

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The government will protect state property, notably in companies in which it holds a majority or a 100 per cent stake, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said at a government session on Thursday, stressing that this also applied to Croatia Airlines (CA)....

No giving up on restructuring of Croatia Airlines, minister says

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Transport Minister Sinisa Hajdas Doncic said on Thursday there was no giving up on the restructuring of Croatia Airlines and that its management would replace part of the cabin crew staff in the next two weeks. Asked by the press to comment on the sick...

Average salary for February 715 euros

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The average monthly net salary in February was HRK 5,447, up 1.6 per cent in nominal and down 3.2 per cent on the year in real terms, the State Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday. February 2103 was the 12th consecutive month in which the average...

Global consumer confidence a little better in Croatia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Global consumer confidence rose in the first quarter, including in Croatia, however, it still remains amongst the 10 most pessimistic countries, show the results of a survey conducted by Nielsen consultants and released on Wednesday. Nielsen's consumer...

Serbian and Croatian war crimes prosecutors cooperating in Medari case

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor's Office said in a statement on Wednesday it was actively cooperating with the Croatian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office (DORH) in shedding light on war crimes that had been committed against Serb civilians during a Croatian...

Croatia Airlines CEO says 25% of cabin crew staff on sick leave

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia Airlines CEO Kresimir Kucko said on Wednesday that the airline had to cancel 10 international and three domestic flights because 25 per cent of its cabin crew staff were on sick leave, announcing an investigation. "Yesterday and today 40 cabin...

Dubrovnik awarded over 1 million euros for IPA cross-border projects

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia has drawn over a million euros in grants under the IPA cross-border programme Croatia-Montenegro 2007-2013, Dubrovnik-Neretva County's Regional Development Agency (DUNEA) says. Six projects worth a total of 2.4 million euros have been approved...

CA flights disrupted as large number of cabin crew staff take sick leave

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia Airlines (CA) flight services were disrupted on Wednesday after a large number of cabin crew staff have taken sick leave, prompting the national carrier to cancel some of the flights and reschedule others, CA spokesman Goran Janusic said. Janusic...

Fitch affirms four Croatian banks

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Fitch Ratings agency has affirmed Zagrebacka Banka's long-term rating at 'BBB' with a negative outlook, and has also affirmed the support ratings of Privredna Banka Zagreb (PBZ), Erste and Steiermarkische Banka (ESB) and Societe Generale - Splitska Banka...

Croatia and Dominica establish diplomatic relations

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia has established diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica, an island nation of 72,000 people situated in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea. A joint statement on establishing diplomatic relations was signed in New York...

General Bartels confirms strong NATO-Croatia ties

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

NATO Military Committee Chairman Knud Bartels said in Zagreb on Tuesday that NATO highly appreciated Croatia's contribution to its operations and once again confirmed the strong relations between NATO and Croatia. Speaking at a joint news conference...

Serbia's minister satisfied with visit to Croatia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

After concluding his first official visit to Croatia, Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic assessed that relations between Belgrade and Zagreb had taken a turn in the right direction and that the gradual resolution of differences would contribute...

Bosnia hasn't solved issue of local border passes for Croatia

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

On July 1, when Croatia joins the European Union, a new local border traffic regime with Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to go into force, but the issue remains unsolved. The issue should be raised at the next Bosnia-Croatia-EU meeting to be held...

Croatian president receives NATO Military Committee chair

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

President Ivo Josipovic on Tuesday received NATO Military Committee Chairman Knud Bartels, who was in an official visit to Croatia, and during the talks it was said that Croatia contributed to NATO's overall efforts and carried out its obligations within...

EU to financially assist Croatia to recover from flood damage

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

The European Commission on Tuesday proposed a EUR 14.6 million aid package from the European Union Solidarity Fund to respond to flooding last autumn, with the majority of the aid going to Slovenia which suffered the worst damages as well as to Croatia...

Sabor Speaker to attend Croatia-EU treaty ratification in Denmark

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko will visit Denmark on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the ratification of Croatia's Treaty of Accession with the European Union in the Danish top national legislature Folketing, the Croatian Sabor reported...

Pusic says her talks with Vucic cover a series of topics

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Croatia's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusic said on Monday that her meeting with Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic in Zagreb earier in the day was "a high-quality meeting" which had...

Industrial output in March grows 4.1% y-o-y

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

Industrial production in Croatia increased in March by 4.1% year on year which is significantly higher than forecasted thanks to a growth in energy production and intermediary products. The State Bureau of Statistics released this information on Tuesday,...

Croatia marking May Day amid crisis, protests, says president

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0200

President Ivo Josipovic on Tuesday congratulated Croatians on International Workers' Day, saying that this year again Croatia was observing May 1 against the backdrop of a years-long crisis and protests against impoverishment and social injustices. The...