ZAGREB, March 10 , 2018 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Friday that first structural reforms his government would launch would be related to resolving of the issue of salaries in the state sector, pension reform proposal and making headway in the education reform.
In the coming period, the government will be particularly focused on investments, structural reforms and an adequate fiscal policy, the PM told Nova TV commercial broadcaster, reiterating that 2018 would be a year of reforms.
Commenting on criticism from the European Commission, Plenković refuted some interpretations about Croatia having the worst economy in Europe, saying that in the given circumstances in 2017, Croatia was successful and healthy foundations have been laid for reforms to be carried out in 2018.
He recalled that the state had prevented the economy collapse following the crisis in the debt-laden food conglomerate Agrokor and the country had left the Excessive Deficit Procedure. Plenković said the government also reduced the public debt and generated a budgetary surplus. The employment rate was up and unemployment was reduced, Plenković said, adding that Croatia had recorded the best tourism season yet and an economic growth.
Asked to comment on criticism by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović directed against the government, Plenković said he was confident the president was trying to send a message that as head of state she was worried about a harmonised functioning of the authorities. Asked if his Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was prepared to support Grabar-Kitarović should she decide to run for president again, Plenković said Grabar-Kitarović had not yet clearly said if she wanted to run again.
Asked about the Istanbul Convention, Plenković said he was confident the document would be ratified in the national parliament.
