PM Andrej Plenkovic: Budget Can Handle Crisis, No Need for Panic
As Hina/Novac writes on the 9th of September, 2020, the Croatian state budget can withstand the crisis, there's no need to panic, PM Andrej Plenkovic assured on Wednesday on the Croatian Radio show "A sada Vlada/And now the Government", adding that he believes in a quick recovery of the Croatian economy.
When asked how much space there is in the budget and how much more it can endure in this crisis, PM Andrej Plenkovic said that it can endure it all and that there shouldn't be any panic. He added that those in the public space and the media space should stop creating panic.
"Recently we had a discussion at a meeting of exporters. Not only my message, but also the message of ministers and governors (CNB, op.cit.) Is: ''Let's not create something that doesn't exist''. We've had the biggest economic crisis in the last hundred years and we solved it so that we have practically the same level of employment, ie unemployment is as it was before the crisis, and the tourist season managed to happen in the best possible way,'' said the Prime Minister.
He added that the fall in Croatia's GDP is likely to be smaller than the first projections during the spring, and he expects its growth next year. According to him, the government "fought well" for 22 billion euros from European Union funds from the new seven-year budget.
"We've dealt with all the preconditions. We're continuing to help vulnerable activities with 4,000 kuna, micro-enterprises with 2,000 kuna, and there is a measure for part-time work in the amount of 2,000 kuna per worker. That will cost us about 800 million kuna by the end of the year. The government has been making decisions on time, sending out a message of security and predictability to the private sector. For the budget, we've solved everything properly, gone to domestic and international financial markets, and we've contacted international financial institutions and secured what we've been lacking," PM Andrej Plenkovic said.
According to him, Croatia is more resistant to the current crisis than it was to the one which occurred back in 2008 and 2009.
"Therefore, let's not panic. We're working very seriously and responsibly, and it is up to the businesses to do the best they can in this framework. We'll ensure stability, and it is up to them to fight. Enterprises are fighting in other countries, and we were quicker with our national measures than some other larger EU members who were waiting for European solutions,'' the prime minister stressed.
Commenting on the articles according to which Croatia is undercapacitated to withdraw EU money, he pointed out that it is easy to problematizs this when someone else fights for 22 billion euros.
He added that from the current financial perspective for 2014-2020, Croatia contracted 101 percent, and more than 40 percent of the available funds were paid out, and that money can be spent for another three years.
"The absorption capacity isn't the same in 2013 and in 2020, now, the mechanisms are faster, people are more established, projects are better and things are going much more concretely," assured Plenkovic.
He added that he is personally leading a group of ministers tasked with preparing Croatia's recovery and resilience programme which is based on EU guidelines.
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Cryptostamp: AKD Creates First Croatian Digital Stamp for Croatian Post
As Novac writes on the 9th of September, 2020, Cryptostamp is the first Croatian postage stamp to connect the digital and the analog world. It consists of two parts, a standard removable self-adhesive postage stamp with a QR code and a digital token that remains for use on the blockchain (application (app), computer or mobile phone).
The cryptocurrency project is extremely important for the development of this relatively young industry in Croatia, which is unfortunately very well known for its lack of progress in terms of digitalisation, and it also marks a significant step forward in finally putting the Republic of Croatia on the world's blockchain map. After Gibraltar and Austria, the Croatian Cryptostamp is the third cryptocurrency in the world.
A physical postage stamp worth 50 kuna can be used to send shipments and parcels just like any other stamp can, and the digital part can be kept by the crypto stamp owner as part of their personal virtual collection. In this way, a new dimension was added which serves as protection against decay which is typically caused by the passage of time.
The digital token was created on the Ethereum platform and is represented on the blockchain as a non-fungible token (NFT) according to the ERC721 standard, which is used for digital objects whose value is collectible, as in the case of varying types of cryptocurrency.
For the needs of Croatian Post (Hrvatska post), in a circulation of 100,000 cryptostamps, AKD has realised this complex business process, which includes the printing of unique QR codes and the individualisation and printing of the Cryptostamp. Croatia's Cryptostamp is printed in multicolour offset on a 75 gram PVC card, measuring 35.73 x 40.98 millimetres, and comes in five different motifs that symbolise postal means of transport: a van, a train, a ship, a plane and of course the most modern of all, a drone.
You can learn more about the Croatian Cryptostamp and how to buy it here.
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Sweden Offers Gripen to Croatia
September 9, 2020 - Today, The Swedish Defence Material Administration submitted its proposal of 12 new Gripen C/D fighter aircraft to Croatia.
Representatives of the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Embassy in Croatia submitted the proposal from the Swedish government of 12 new Gripen C/D fighter aircraft to the Croatian authorities. Parallel to the government’s proposal, Saab is offering a tailored made strategic cooperation package that will boost the Croatian defence industry, and benefit Croatian security by building a long-term partnership with strategic sectors.
“Sweden and Saab are offering a comprehensive and long-term solution for Croatian homeland security that will protect Croatia’s people and borders for decades to come. If Croatia chooses Gripen, Saab is ready to transfer know-how and technology and establish a Regional Aeronautical & Support Service Centre in Croatia. This would develop long term cooperation with local defence industry as well as the academic sector, generating some 500 high-tech jobs,” says Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and head of Saab business area Aeronautics.
Gripen C/D is a modern and proven multi-role fighter that uses the latest technology and performs an extensive range of air-to-air, air-to-ground and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft is in operational service with the air forces of Sweden, Hungary, the Czech Republic, South Africa and Thailand.
Gripen fighters of the Czech and Hungarian Air Forces participate regularly in NATO operations and exercises, proving the fighter’s full NATO interoperability.
Gripen C/D stays ahead of its opponents through an on-going evolution of its systems and the weapons it can use, and the fighter will remain operational for decades.
For further information, please contact:
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Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions within military defence and civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents around the world. Through innovative, collaborative and pragmatic thinking, Saab develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
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Sabor on Wednesday Debated a Bill on Workers Posted to Croatia
ZAGREB, Sept 9, 2020 - Lawmakers on Wednesday debated a bill on workers posted to Croatia as well as the implementation of a cross-border agreement on money fines in an attempt to protect their rights, and the Opposition also warned about the status of Croatian workers and that Croatia does not have a sensible industrial policy.
The bill refers to workers who are deployed by a foreign employer to temporarily work in Croatia, which is not their usual place of work, and the proposed bill on workers is being aligned with European legislation.
Davorko Vidovic (SDP bench) welcomed the implementation of EU legislation into Croatian law "because that protects workers and expands the convergence of labor and social rights, it ensures more order and introduces very concrete penalties in cases of abuse."
A Croatian worker in Germany should have at least the minimum rights of local workers, said Vidovic, noting that Croatia has very few workers posted from the European Union.
Sandra Bencic (Left-Green coalition) warned about the non-payment of overtime, the inability to use days-off, or the right to enforce dues from employers. We advocate the development of a sensible industrial policy that Croatia does not have, she claimed. "We do not have enough quality jobs in Croatia."
Bulj: Labor relations in Croatia completely destroyed
Miro Bulj (Bridge) claimed that workers in Croatia have been completely destroyed yet it is the worker who creates. Responding to criticism by former labor minister Marko Pavic that he was talking out of context, Bulj said that he advocates protecting workers' rights, and added that Pavic is "known as a traveling salesman of expensive perfumes and wines at the ministry's expense" and that he entered parliament with only 200 preferential votes, which speaks for itself what sort of minister he was.
The bill regulates working conditions and rights that are more favorable and provides greater rights for posted workers deployed to Croatia for a longer period of time.
The bill also regulates wage issues for posted workers as well as defining accommodation and costs of a worker's mobility while posted in Croatia as well as the possibility of extending the period a worker can remain in Croatia.
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PM: Aim is for Zagreb Reconstruction Law to be Good, Sustainable
ZAGREB, Sept 9, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday the aim of Zagreb Reconstruction Law on the post-earthquake reconstruction of the City of Zagreb and Krapina-Zagorje and Zagreb counties was quality and sustainable law which would ensure long term restoration.
He was speaking at a cabinet meeting which adopted a conclusion giving a government representative consent to accept about 30 amendments to the final bill submitted by others.
The government's approach is inclusive and consensual, so we decided to accept any amendments and many of them were identical, Plenkovic said, adding that the relevant ministries analyzed the proposals thoroughly, consulting experts.
The amendments will be debated by parliament on Thursday.
Horvat: We followed experts' proposals
A total of 183 amendments were submitted to the final bill. Presenting the government's conclusion, Construction Minister Darko Horvat said the government's analysis was based on experts' proposals.
We are willing to fully accept some 30 amendments and three parts, he told reporters.
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Hero Croatian Hospital Does Free Dentistry for All Special Needs Children
Wednesday, 9 September 2020 – Angels in white from heroic Croatian hospital Dr. fra Mato Nikolić in Nova Bila offer free dentistry for all special needs children
Few young people look forward to visiting the dentist. But, imagine how such a visit must be if the world is already a confusing and difficult place for you. These are the difficulties of dentistry for all special needs children.
“Children with special needs suffer from a range of disorders,” Dr. Nikola Matković tells TCN over the phone from Croatian hospital Dr fra Mato Nikolić in Nova Bila, near Vitez, central Bosnia. “They can have stunted mental development, autism, Down's syndrome, disharmonic development, epilepsy, cerebral palsy. They all need to put under general anesthetic for dentistry and, of course, that requires a specially trained anesthetist to be present throughout, as well as the surgeon dentist and several members of staff. It can be necessary to have between six and ten highly skilled medical professionals in the operation, depending on the case. And, of course, that's very expensive. The parents of many children simply don't have that kind of money.”
Croatian hospital Dr. fra Mato Nikolić in Nova Bila, which answered the call for free dentistry for all special needs children
A doctor of dentistry, Nikola Matković became acutely aware of the financial difficulties for many such parents in 2016, when NGO Betanija from Vitez put out a call for help. His main job is there, in the local health centre. They help provide care for about 50 special needs clients in the region. Responding to the call, Dr. Matković approached colleagues to see if they'd be interested in trying to help give free dentistry for all special needs children.
Dentist Lidija Lasić-Arapović and anaesthesiologist Zoran Karlović, both from Mostar, were quick to offer their assistance. They were followed by dentists Dr. Anja Hačimić, Dr. Ivana Dunđer-Vidović, Dr. Nikola Kezić, Dr. Ozrenka Raić from central Bosnia and assistants Slavica Šimić and Anita Martinović from Mostar. All agreed to join Dr. Matković in his attempt to offer free dentistry for all special needs children in their region.
The team of Croatian hospital Dr. fra Mato Nikolić doctors at work, supplying free dentistry for all special needs children
Dr. Matković needed the approval of the Ministry of Health and of Central Bosnia Canton and authorities at the Croatian hospital Dr fra Mato Nikolić, lead by director Dr. Velimir Valjan, in order to begin the programme. Both quickly agreed that it was needed and agreed to contribute funding to help establish it. The programme of free dentistry for all special needs children in the Central Bosnia Canton region started in late 2018. But, that was just the beginning.
“We soon started getting calls from parents of special needs children from outside the region,” remembers Dr Matković. “And from full-time carers of adults who also have special needs. We soon realised we could not just leave them with nowhere to turn. We again approached the authorities and asked for permission to widen the programme and they were incredibly supportive. We've so far had around 120 clients, between the ages of six and thirty-five. And they've travelled here for treatment from every corner of Bosnia.”
Croatian hospital Dr. fra Mato Nikolić. Welcoming all ethnicities and people of all religions, it gives free dentistry for all special needs children
For an outsider – such as this writer – if can be baffling to try and understand how Bosnia and Hercegovina works. The country is populated by the same people, although they've been separated for hundreds of years by three competing religions. This separation led to ethnic tensions rising during the break up of Yugoslavia, leading to Bosnia now being split up into several internal cantons under one federation, another autonomous state - Republika Srpska - plus the self-governing district of Brčko.
“This question may be stupid, but is healthcare the same in Bosnia as it is in Croatia?” asks this British member of the TCN team, rather naively. “Do you have the same option of health insurance to all the people who live there, no matter where they live? And, you're called Croatian hospital Dr fra Mato Nikolić. Does that mean that you treat only Croats? Do Muslims and Serbs have their own separate hospitals?”
Dr Nikola Matković
“Ahahaha, it's not such a stupid question really,” laughs Dr Matković. “Bosnia can be a confusing place. Well, the answer to your first question is no. It's not the same as in Croatia, it's a lot more complicated because there's a completely separate system for those who live in Republika Srpska. But, I'm pleased to say that we have overcome all the bureaucracy and difficulties to be able to treat patients from every part of Bosnia, including Republika Srpska. The NGO Betanija who set the ball rolling is a multi-ethnic organisation. They welcome people of every ethnicity and religion. So do the Croatian hospital Dr fra Mato Nikolić and this programme within it. Our hospital is called Croatian hospital because it was set up with great financial assistance from the Croatian government.”
The parish church of the Holy Spirit in Nova Bila became the only medical resource for some 70, 000 trapped people during the war. Around half of them were refugees.
Croatian hospital Dr fra Mato Nikolić is named after a prominent Bosnian Franciscan, humanist and the first graduate doctor from Bosnia and Herzegovina - Fr. Mato Nikolić (1776-1844). It is a hospital known throughout Bosnia and Croatia because of the heroic work undertaken there by staff and volunteers during the time of war.
The church hospital in the time of war
In 1992, violent fighting caused a huge wave of forced migrations all across Bosnia. In the area where the hospital is now situated, the population almost doubled with the arrival of refugees. Some 70,000 people found themselves in an area 30 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. They were cut off from the rest of the world by the lines of fighting and by blockades. No hospital existed within the area, just the parish church of the Holy Spirit in Nova Bila. From there, a few healthcare professionals worked day and night, with almost no supplies, to treat the sick and wounded. So cut off was this group of people that they faced famine. The absence of any medical supplies was secondary to the very real threat of starvation.
Staff of the war hospital Fr. Mato Nikolić pictured in 1993
War hospitals set up to try and deal with the trapped people proved ineffective, as the lines of fighting were constantly shifting. But, at the end of 1992, it was decided that the church in Nova Bila would be established as the main hospital for all those within the four municipalities of Travnik, Novi Travnik, Vitez and Busovača in the Lašva Valley. This war hospital took the name Fr. Mato Nikolić.
Despite having no regular supplies of electricity or even water, between 19 October 1992 to 1 April 1994, over 20, 000 people were treated and cared for in the hospital. 1,260 operations were performed under general anesthesia, 4,200 under local anesthesia. 721 children were born.
Despite having no regular supplies of electricity or even water, between October 1992 to April 1994, over 20, 000 people were treated and cared for in the hospital. 1,260 operations were performed under general anesthesia.
In June 1994, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tuđman, visited the Lašva Valley and promised to build a new hospital. The new Croatian hospital Dr. fra Mato Nikolić was opened in 1999. Its pioneering programme to offer free dentistry for all special needs children from across Bosnia is just the latest commendable action undertaken by those associated with this hero hospital.
How the new Croatian hospital Dr. fra Mato Nikolić looked a few years ago, as its sixth wing was being constructed
All colour photographs © Croatian hospital Dr. fra Mato Nikolić, Dr Nikola Matković and municipality of Vitez
All black and white photographs © Bijeli Put documentary, original sources Davor Višnjić, Željko Maganjić, Srećko Stipović, Arhiv konvoja Bijeli put, Arhiv Kruh svetog Ante, Foto klub Split
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Banozic: Offers For The Fighter Jets Being Received Today
ZAGREB, Sept 9, 2020 - The Defence Ministry is receiving offers for the fighter jets from 9 am to 11.30 am today, which will be followed by a three-month evaluation period before a final proposal is addressed to the government, Defence Minister Mario Banozic told the press outside the government offices on Wednesday.
Asked whether the public would be informed of the details of the offers, he replied in the negative, adding that the offers would go through a three-month process of evaluation based on which a proposal would be made for the government.
A final decision on the best offer will be ready for the government by the end of the year, Banozic said.
He said that initial offers for the fighter jets had been requested from the United States for new F-16 aircraft and from Sweden for Gripen aircraft. Offers were also requested for used European-made aircraft, including Italy's Eurofighter and France's Rafale, as well as for used F-16s from Norway, Greece, and Israel.
Banozic said it was difficult for him to say how much the aircraft would cost because that depended on the offers. He confirmed that Croatia was buying 12 aircraft.
Asked to comment on the decision by the President's Office not to take part in the work of the interdepartmental commission on the purchase of the aircraft, the minister said: "The president and I have regular briefings, I had one yesterday, we work together. He himself said that this decision rests with the government, but I think that this is important for all of us, for our security, and it must be a single decision."
The President's Office has said that it will not have a representative on the commission, but the president will take part in a political decision on the purchase of military aircraft in accordance with his constitutional powers.
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) said in a statement that representatives of FMV and the Swedish Embassy in Croatia had submitted an offer this morning, which includes new Gripen C/D aircraft and a package of logistical support and training for Croatian Air Force pilots and technicians.
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Parliament Discusses Amendments To Protection Against Noise Act
ZAGREB, Sept 9, 2020 - The Croatian parliament resumed its extraordinary session on Wednesday with a discussion on amendments to Protection Against Noise Act proposing measures to prevent excessive noise emissions, reduce the existing noise levels to the permissible levels, and align with EU law.
State authorities, local and regional government units, legal and natural persons are required to ensure protection against noise nuisance, while inspections are done by sanitary inspectors from the State Inspectorate, said MP Ivan Kirin of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
Anka Mrak Taritas of the Civic Liberal Alliance (GLAS) asked if it was possible to arrange that church bells did not ring after midnight, especially in small tourist towns where visitors complain about the noise, to which she was told that the church bells were exempt from the law.
She also drew attention to the problem of apartment buildings with shops and cafes or restaurants that can be a source of noise nuisance. Silvano Hrelja of the Croatian Pensioners' Party (HSU) agreed with her, calling for the matter to be addressed interdepartmentally.
Noise second biggest cause of illness
Social Democrat Renata Sabljak Dracevac announced the SDP's support for the bill saying that it would align national law with that of the EU and provide citizens with much better noise protection.
Tomislav Tomasevic of the left-green bloc welcomed the bill, noting that noise was the second biggest cause of illness in humans, after air pollution.
Miro Bulj (Bridge) said that everything was done in the interest of profit, adding that EU laws are diligently copied but not obeyed. He underscored traffic as one of the main sources of noise.
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Hello Zagreb: Project that Proves Thematic Tourist Maps are Not a Thing of the Past
Zagreb, September 9, 2020 - When was the last time you took a real map, not Google Maps, searching for a good restaurant or an interesting museum? Although today the information about tourist destinations is only two clicks away on our smartphones, the Zagreb company Hello Zagreb proves that real thematic tourist maps are still in high demand.
Croatia, a country that lives off tourism, is visited by millions of tourists every year. To provide them with the best products and services during their stay, tourism workers are constantly finding new and effective ideas to bring closer and present Croatian destinations in the best way.
The project, aptly named Hello Zagreb, was created within the Hello Croatia brand and offers tourists various free themed tourist maps such as Grill, Beer & Burger map showing the locations and a list of pubs and fast food restaurants in Zagreb, or Sweet Spots in Zagreb showing how can you sweeten your sweet tooth in Zagreb. There are also, for example, Best Spots in Zagreb, Pulse of Zagreb (Zagreb 0-24h), 72 hours in Zagreb, and Good Food Guide.
Hello Zagreb thematic tourist maps / Hello Zagreb
Modeled on Barcelona
Sven Darrer, the founder of the Hello Zagreb project, explains that they design maps with special care and love, promoting Croatian cultural heritage, language, customs, and new tourist attractions and trendy locations.
He started making thematic tourist maps for visitors of Zagreb and Croatia after a trip to Barcelona, where he came across a map of the city, which, as he says, fantastically combined information and education. This inspired him to transfer this idea to Zagreb.
"The idea of starting a business of making thematic maps is driven by a strong desire and will to describe our perfect city of Zagreb and other beautiful cities of ‘Lijepa naša’ and present it to tourists and casual travelers through innovative, different, funny stories that represent famous locations, but also less known ones,” describes Darrer.
During the multi-award-winning Zagreb Advent, when most tourists stay in Zagreb, the offer includes maps adapted to that theme. Apart from them, the Gold Edition Luxury Shopping guide and the Night Map are also very attractive ones. A beautiful GLAM map whose name signifies a combination of Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums stands out as an interesting museum map with which Hello Zagreb brings visitors a touch of Zagreb culture.
The Advent Zagreb thematic tourist map / Hello Zagreb
One month for one map
However, although classic maps are a thing of the past due to technological progress, Hello Zagreb proves just the opposite. Namely, Darrer says that tourists are delighted with their thematic maps.
“We are faithful to the good old 'piece of paper' which, after fulfilling its primary function in touring Zagreb and other Croatian cities, remains a lasting memory (souvenir) for tourists, special places, walks, streets, squares, monuments, and experiences from these locations,” says Darrer.
Maps are not for sale but are distributed to all tourist points, tourist boards, info-centers, and hotels, restaurants, bars, and museums.
The team of Hello Zagreb, i.e., the whole of Hello Croatia, functions in such a way that the leader of an individual project first brainstorms an interesting topic, after which it starts to be realized with the help of copywriters and graphic artists. It takes about a month to create each segment of the map, from buying the copyright for the city plan, setting up thematic symbols, writing texts, and, finally, printing maps. Maps are printed from 50,000 to 100,000 copies and are funded by advertising.
The first map in Korean
So far, they have brought out 61 maps, most of which relate to the city of Zagreb. Other maps called Hello Croatia show selected Croatian coastal cities, and they have made nautical maps of all ACI Marinas in Croatia.
Other cities and places represented include Rovinj, Umag, Novigrad, Poreč, Pula, Opatija, Rijeka, Cres, Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Šibenik, Pag, Split, Dubrovnik, and the island of Brač.
"We welcome young back-packers in Croatia with our specialized 'Use-it Zagreb' map, which is part of the European 'Use-it' family, and with which young people can easily get around Zagreb like locals," Darrer points out.
Interestingly, all Hello Zagreb and Hello Croatia maps are in English, which is understandable, since English is used equally by tourists of all other nationalities. However, Hello Zagreb stands out because they were the only ones to issue a map of Zagreb in Korean, which they did, as Darrer says, given the large number of tourists from South Korea who have difficulty with English.
Tourists from South Korea with a Hello Zagreb map / Hello Zagreb
"We still don't have a map in Croatian, but we have prepared a whole series of Croatian phrases and terms for foreigners in our maps in English, through which we introduce them to the Croatian language, but also common phrases and colloquial expressions through which they learn about our customs and culture," explains Darrer.
And this is exactly what modern tourists are looking for today – an authentic experience of a destination where they can meet and experience the lifestyle of local people.
As Darrer explains, they make maps "listening to the needs of the modern tourist, to whom, in addition to information, they also serve a specific experience of our cities through innovative and educational texts."
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Milanovic: Renewed Division Of Croatia Into Regions Would Be Disintegration
ZAGREB, Sept 9, 2020 - President Zoran Milanovic said on Tuesday evening while attending a formal session of the Varazdin County Assembly marking County Day, that renewed division of Croatia into regions would be disintegration.
"What was done in 1993 without a referendum, at the height of the war, when there were more pressing priorities than local government, will not be easily reversed," he said and added that the counties, as the form of administration and "transmission between the central government (and regional government) in a country of just four million people", made more sense than regions.
A renewed division of Croatia into regions would be disintegration, the president said.
He expressed hope that Varazdin County would continue "in the good direction", emphasizing the importance of absorbing EU funding as a measure of success.
PM: A harmonious approach to the development of northern Croatia
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who also attended the ceremony, spoke of the efforts made by the government in its previous term to ensure a more balanced development of the country.
"That's the foundation of our policy which is based on four pillars: continued, steady and open dialogue, functional decentralization, fiscal decentralization, and project cooperation," the prime minister said.
He also recalled government aid to employers and workers, including those in Varazdin County, to help them cope with the crisis caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.
"The government has so far provided HRK 300 million (€40m) for the benefit of workers. Had we not done that, they would probably be in trouble now, many of them would possibly be out of work," Plenkovic said, that 34,000 workers in Varazdin County were covered by the government's aid measures.
He said that Croatia was facing the challenges of recovery and development which required aligning priorities for "a harmonious approach to the development of northern Croatia."
County Prefect Radimir Cacic said that for three years in a row Varazdin County was by far the most successful county in absorbing EU funds in the segment of energy renovation.
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