ZAGREB, 4 August, 2022 - Croatia must help strengthen energy security by upgrading its gas pipeline, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview with the Jutarnji List daily, published on Thursday.

Energy and the issue of secure and reliable energy supply in the context of the Ukraine war and sanctions against Russia is currently the main topic probably in all EU member countries.

After the global financial crisis and the health crisis caused by coronavirus, the energy security crisis is a new test for the EU's internal strength and resilience, with crucial decisions in dealing with that crisis being expected from the European Commission.

In the interview with Jutarnji List, von der Leyen spoke about what the EC was doing and planned to do to alleviate the impact of the crisis on citizens' living standards and competitiveness of the business sector as well as Croatia's role.

Asked what should be done to prevent the crisis from causing irreparable damage to the EU economy and way of life, von der Leyen said that short-term as well as medium and long-term measures were being implemented.

As for short-term measures, which concern preparations for the coming winter, EU member-states on 26 July reached agreement to coordinate action to reduce gas demand at the EU level in a bid to remove Russia's threat of a complete cessation of gas supply.

EU countries' assuming a common obligation to cut gas demand by 15% is an exceptionally important part of the agreement as it will help the EU replenish stockpiles before the winter and help stabilise the market, von der Leyen said.

She noted that the agreement would also help create a safety net for each member state, thus enabling the full implementation of the principle of energy solidarity that is part of EU treaties.

We are determined to resolve the issue of energy security at the EU level, she said.

EU countries understand that their economies are so much interconnected that any disruption of supply in one country would have detrimental effects on the whole EU economy, which is why it is important for all EU countries to reduce demand, increase stockpiles and be ready to share gas with other members, von der Leyen said.

As part of the European Green Deal we have taken care that everyone benefits from transition to renewable sources of energy, which includes support from the proposed Social Climate Fund, designed for vulnerable consumers, von der Leyen said in the interview.

ZAGREB, 3 August, 2022 - The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) and the Croatian Journalists' Union (SNH) have expressed regret over mass dismissals of reporters, camera operators, sound engineers, producers and other workers at the Zagreb office of Una Television.

"We share the concern for the livelihoods of about thirty of our colleagues, all well-respected media workers who have not breached any professional standards in their work," the two organisations said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

Announced as a major regional project based in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Una TV started operating last December. However, it is not broadcasting in Croatia because the management has failed to sign an agreement with any of the telecommunications operators.

The management has told the public that they had several meetings with the HT and A1 operators, but despite verbal promises, no deal was reached.

Una TV has been issued a broadcasting licence by the Croatian Electronic Media Agency, which indicates that there are no obstacles to its operation in Croatia.

Although the two telecommunications companies are privately owned and need not explain their business decisions, the HND and SNH believe that they should take into account the fact that journalism is a public good and that there is a justified public interest for the media content which for some reason citizens cannot consume. They said that they will ask HT and A1 to explain why Una TV cannot broadcast news programmes on their platforms despite the licence from the Electronic Media Agency.

Una TV is colloquially called "Dodik's television" because its ownership is tied to Igor Dodik, the son of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. Our colleagues should not suffer the consequences of the publisher's ownership structure. The only interest of the HND and SNH is in preserving jobs, because Una TV has been present in Croatia for nearly a year now, paying taxes, the HND and SNH said.

ZAGREB, 4 August, 2022 - The general government debt at the end of April 2022 was HRK 356.1 billion, 18 billion or 5.3% more than in April 2021, show data from the Croatian National Bank (HNB) while analysts of Raiffeisenbank (RBA) expect the debt to continue growing due to growing needs for financing.

The year-on-year increase in the general government debt is due to an increase in both domestic and foreign debt, with domestic debt going up by HRK 7.6 billion or 3.5% compared to the end of April 2021 to HRK 225.9 billion, while foreign debt increased by HRK 10.4 billion or 8.7% to HRK 130.1 billion.

Foreign debt growth was due to a euro bond issue on the international financial market in April, in the total nominal amount of €1.25 billion.  

The general government debt consequently rose also month-on-month, by HRK 13.55 billion.

RBA analysts say that considering that the euro bond issue was used to refinance a euro bond due on 30 May 2022, a decrease was expected already in data for May.

Year-on-year, however, they expect the general government debt to continue growing due to growing needs for financing, primarily due to trade unions' demands for higher pay in the context of growing inflation, as well as due to fiscal measures designed to alleviate the impact of rising prices on consumers and the business sector.

"Nonetheless, the continuation of economic recovery will keep the debt-to-GDP ratio moving downward this year and in the years ahead. Even though fiscal risks are growing, we expect the general government deficit to stay at 3% of GDP," the analysts said.

The Croatian government expects the share of public debt in GDP this year to be at 76.2%, which is 3.6 percentage points less than in 2021.

(€1 = HRK 7.513581)

ZAGREB, 4 August, 2022 - The number of outdoor space fires in the first seven months of 2022 was 46% higher than in the same period of 2021 while the number of wildfires was up by 70%, the Croatian Firefighters Association said on Thursday.

The area consumed by fires in the first seven months of 2021 was 16,153 hectares while in 2022, 51,962 hectares of land have already been consumed by fires, an increase of as much as 221%. Last year, 8,833 fires were reported while this year there have been 11,323 fires so far, an increase of almost 30%.

The number of persons injured or killed in fires has increased this year compared to 2021 - last year there were 16 fatalities and this year there have been 25 fire victims, including a fireman.

The number of persons injured in fires has grown by 42%, from 77 in 2021 to as many as 110 this year.

Last year 15 firefighters were injured while putting out fires, while this year 10 were injured in the first seven months.

The number of times firefighting planes were used to help firefighters in the first seven months of this year was 30% higher than last year and this year Croatian firefighting forces have also helped out their colleagues in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year increases have been reported in all categories except indoor fires, the Croatian Firefighting Association said, calling on citizens to act responsibly as the current period of very high temperatures without precipitation is continuing and the fire risk index is very high.

ZAGREB, 4 August, 2022 - War Veterans Minister Tomo Medved on Thursday issued a message on the occasion of Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, saying that Operation Storm heralded peace and an end to the 1991-95 Homeland War.

"As we remember the days that heralded peace for our people, we provide consolation and express immense respect to all those for whom the end of the Homeland War did not bring final peace - the families of Croatian defenders gone missing in the war," the minister said in his message.

Croatians owe the freedom they live in today to Croatian defenders, and one of the symbols of the freedom won is the moment when Croatia's first president Franjo Tuđman kissed the Croatian flag hoisted on the Knin Fortress, Medved said in the message.

"That symbolic and historic act heralded the end of the war, the Croatian Army's victory and the restoration of the Croatian constitutional and legal order in the formerly occupied parts of our beautiful homeland," Medved said.

August 4, 2022 - Vukovar's only public pool, the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon, it seems, might not remain one for long. Costs are rising, and the institutions can't keep up. It is not set in stone, but the pools might close sooner than anyone hoped.

As Glas Slavonije writes, it sounds strange because August has just started, so many Vukovar residents and visitors to the city spend part of their free time at the pool looking for escape from the summer heat and a place to have fun and socialize with family and friends, but the news has been verified and it's not just behind-the-scenes stories. Apparently, the city on the Danube has been talking about the closing of the swimming pool for the last ten days. The closing dates have even been mentioned, so you could hear that the indoor swimming pools will only be open until August 15, and the outdoor swimming pools for two weeks longer. Glas Slavonije inquired about the truth of those stories at the Public Institution Sports Facilities Vukovar, whose director Ivan Szabo said that all options remain open.

“We still don't know anything precise. Public tender for electricity and gas is in process, which should end on August 12, and further work will depend on the prices we receive. In general, the situation regarding the payment of energy products is terrible and we will have to react. We will not allow our overhead costs to accumulate for months and thereby increase our debt, and we are aware that we do not have the necessary funds secured in the budget - Szabo confirmed for GS, adding that as responsible people, they must make rational decisions no matter how unpopular or disapproved by the general public.

According to him, at the beginning of the year they started to implement certain savings, but if costs need to be reduced by 10-15 percent while at the same time the amounts they are billed could be many times higher, the savings  are not enough.

“Indeed, all options remain open. When we see the results of the tender for electricity and gas, we will take certain steps in agreement with the City. Other institutions and establishments in our city are also faced with the problem of enormous price increases, and it is up to each of them to make the decision they think is the best. I repeat, we will be guided by what is rational, because I believe that accumulating debt that we cannot pay off is not an acceptable option”, he explained.

Closing the swimming pool or reducing its operation, as well as all other facilities offered to visitors, will certainly be difficult for everyone who has been trying for years to position this institution not only on the map of Vukovar, but also on the map of Croatia. It is known that numerous official competitions were held at the swimming pool, water polo and swimming clubs used it for preparations, many non-governmental organizations (especially those that work with children) are regular visitors to the swimming pool, and the number of users is growing year by year. In addition, in case of closure or reduction of the scope of work, it is questionable how the salaries of the employees will be provided.

There is no doubt that the potential decision to close or drastically reduce their volume, which at this moment seems completely realistic, presents a series of questions to the authorities that must be addressed in due time. Those who have been closely following the events in Vukovar in recent months will not be surprised by the (temporary) closing of the swimming pool. GS reminds that Mayor Ivan Penava recently told his fellow citizens that they have decided to return to the model of trying to defend the positions of the City, in terms of protecting the living and social standards of citizens, which - as he emphasized - will be extremely difficult.

It was announced that after the reduction of public lighting, more radical savings measures can be expected, without excluding the possibility of reducing and suspending the work of certain institutions and establishments.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

August 4, 2022 - Warm August nights in Croatia are a blessing in areas where the air is clean, the surroundings are calm, and there is no light pollution. The country kids know it, rare are the activities that could match lying down with snacks and drinks to watch the Perseid meteor showers. The Croatian Astronomical Society calls for lights off to make a beatiful summer night even better.

As Glas Slavonije writes, like every summer around the memorial day of St. Lovre (August 10), the maximum activity of the Perseid meteor shower occurs. This year, according to forecasts, the maximum will occur on the night between August 11 and 12. Astronomical societies, united in the Croatian Astronomical Union, are organising various astronomical activities, because apart from the most beautiful meteor shower of the year, telescopes will be able to view Saturn and Jupiter, as well as the Moon. The Orion Astronomical Society and the Croatian Astronomical Union are inviting cities and municipalities to turn off public lighting between August 11 and 12 from midnight to morning, so that the residents can enjoy this celestial spectacle as much as possible.

“We invite all citizens to a joint observation from the location of Bajera from 10 pm, in addition to which an observation of the night sky with a telescope will be organized. As the 12^th ARLA Festival, whose theme is space, will also take place at that time, we ask the City of Đakovo to turn off public lighting on August 12 from 10 pm, in order to continue the observation from the lawn below Strossmayer Park. An average activity of about 140 meteors per hour is forecast, and the conditions for observation will be reduced by the fact that the Moon is almost full”, points out the president of the Orion Đakovo Astronomical Society, Danko Kočiš.

Kočis also provided instructions for observation. “Do not look directly at the radiant (starting point of the meteor shower), you will notice the least meteors there, no special equipment (telescopes, binoculars, etc.) is needed to observe meteors, because meteors are observed with the naked eye lying on the ground, and it is necessary to spend at least 30 minutes in the dark to allow your eyes to adapt to the night conditions. You need to move away from the area where there is lighting and light pollution into as good a darkness as possible. Also, you need a mat, a deck chair, or a sleeping bag on which you can lie down during observation”, instructs the president of the Astronomical Society Orion Đakovo, Danko Kočiš.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

August 4, 2022 - Vukovar is fast becoming the place to go for events and activities. After an eventful summer, it will welcome autumn with a unique sports event, a Water Tower race. To date, more than 150 participants have registered.

As Glas Slavonije writes, the Vukovar Athletic Club is organising a race up the stairs of the Vukovar Water Tower called Vukovarskih 198 (The Vukovar 198).

The name of the race is due to the fact that the Water Tower has 198 steps, and each competitor will also run 200 meters of the memorial path, which means that the finish line of the race will be at the top of the famous structure in Vukovar. Daniel Lovrinović, the secretary of the Vukovar Athletic Club, who runs recreationally, is the initiator of this specific race.

“Every morning I get up at five o'clock and go for a run before work, because I consider it mental hygiene. As I’ve regularly passed by the Water Tower, even while it was being renovated, I thought it would be interesting to organize a race in it. I have participated several times in the "Zagrepčanka" race in Zagreb, and running up the stairs fascinates me. As far as I know, no race has been organised in a monument such as the Water Tower, and I believed that it would attract a large number of participants”, Lovrinović told us, explaining that it is not only important to organise the race for its own sake, but also to promote the Vukovar Athletic Club, which started working actively with children this year, and will soon have activities for recreational athletes.

The organiser's wish is that Vukovar benefits from the race, because those who come from outside the city will stay for a day, two or three, which means that they will sleep in Vukovar, maybe try some local specialties, visit museums or other interesting locations. Ultimately, it will help the promotion of the city on the Danube. All those interested can apply online until August 31, and Lovrinović pointed out that more than 150 participants have registered so far out of 240, which is the maximum number.

“We cannot accommodate more runners because the Water Tower is open and we managed to reserve it for the race on September 17 from 8 am to 1 pm. We want the race to become traditional. So far, we’ve had applications from many Croatian cities, literally from Vukovar to Dubrovnik, but also from abroad - France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Germany. The principle of the race itself is quite simple. The second runner will follow 60 seconds after the first, and when the eighth competitor reaches the top of the Water Tower near the flag, we will take a minute or two break, until the first seven reach the elevator that will take them down. When they reach the elevator, the next runner will start and so on until everyone has completed the planned course”, he explained.

This is the minimum start time difference between participants because the staircase is narrow and it is not possible to get around the runners in front who may need more time to reach the top.

For more, check out our Lifestyle section.