December the 15th, 2020 - The EUREKA Project is a praiseworthy coming together of numerous countries who have their coasts lapped by the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The group of countries, which includes Croatia, are aiming for more safe and secure seas and an improvement in mutual cooperation.

As Morski writes, the EUREAK Project (Adriatic - Ionian Joint Approach for the Development and Harmonisation of Procedures and Regulations in the Field of Navigation Safety) which carries a total value of 3.1 million euros, of which 2.6 million euros come from ERDF funds and 527 thousand euros come from IPAII funds, formally began on the 1st of December 2020, within the "INTERREG VB ADRION Programme 2014-2020". The project has an estimated duration of thirty months.

Oleg Butkovic's Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure is the leading project partner, along with the project partners of maritime administrations responsible for the safety of navigation of other Adriatic-Ionian countries, namely: Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Montenegro and Albania, the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka and the University of Montenegro, as well as the project partner of the Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The EUREKA Project is fully in line with the measures of the EUSAIR Strategy and the accompanying Action Plan with the aim of raising the level of safety of navigation and protection of the Adriatic - Ionian region, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure reported.

For the countries of the Adriatic - Ionian region, this marks a project of strategic importance for improving overall maritime safety, which will be ensured through key project activities related to the establishment of a permanent transnational network for the safety of navigation, the modernisation of the Adriatic sea's mandatory reporting system (ADRIREP) with a new resolution International Maritime Organisation and a new and more simplified technological solution for reporting.

The project also regards the proper exchange of maritime traffic data of importance for navigation safety between the countries of the Adriatic-Ionian region and the standardisation of navigation safety services and VTS services in the same maritime area.

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ZAGREB, Dec 15, 2020 - Interconnecting information systems of the countries in the passport-free Schengen Area, which envisages additional checks on third countries' citizens at the Schengen external borders may cause delays in traffic at the Slovenia-Croatia border, Slovenian Interior Minister Ales Hojs said on Monday.

Hojs made this statement after a virtual conference of the European Union member-states interior ministers who discussed, among other things, the better connecting of the information already available, in particular by implementing the interoperability of EU information systems.

Also establishing an upgraded acquis on cross-border police cooperation including, for example, adequate powers for cross-border surveillance and a hot pursuit was also on the ministerial meeting's agenda.

During the virtual meeting, a proposal made by Croatia and Slovenia that additional checks should be conducted at the external border of the European Union was not accepted. This prompted Hojs to say the current application of the new system of surveillance could cause delays at the Slovenia-Croatia border since Croatia has not yet admitted to the Schengen Area.

The system of interoperability requires taking fingerprints and other procedures, which will undoubtedly hold back the traffic on the Croatian side of the border. There was a mention of a possibility of designating special lanes for passengers from third countries, but this would not be possible to implement everywhere on the ground, the Slovenian minister said.

A deadline for establishing interoperability is shifted to May 2022.

ZAGREB, Dec 15, 2020 - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said on Monday that more than one-third of members of parliament had recovered from COVID-19, were currently infected or had been in self-isolation.

According to official statistics, 29 MPs have recovered from COVID-19 or are still infected, and another 25 were in self-isolation, which makes a total of 54 deputies or more than one-third, Jandrokovic said in an interview with Croatian Radio, noting that the infection rate was evidently higher in the parliament than in the general population.

He called again for compliance with epidemiological restrictions and thanked everyone who over the past months had complied with them.

Decision on passes not made yet

Jandrokovic said that a decision on the introduction of passes enabling travel had not been made yet and that he hoped the number of new infections and deaths would go down, which would make that move unnecessary.

"But we also have to be ready, in case the numbers go up, for additional restrictions."

He dismissed criticism from the Opposition that the government alone was responsible for the consequences of the epidemic because it had not accepted any of its suggestions.

Responsibility for the spread of the infection rests with those who do not comply with restrictions, and raising the issue of responsibility at the moment will not help change the situation for the better, Jandrokovic said, commending the work of the national COVID-19 response team.

New parliament - lot of noise, aggression, little substance

Jandrokovic said that he was satisfied with the work of the parliament this year, adding that he was not impressed by the new parliament.

"It started very well, it seemed more serious, more substantial but as the time passes, I have the impression that the Opposition is resorting to the mode of work of the previous Opposition, with a lot of noise, aggression and debates bordering on incident and very little substance and concrete proposals," Jandrokovic said, adding that it seemed there was also a considerable lack of political experience and political and human wisdom.

December 15, 2020 - Croatian skincare brand Skintegra handed over an admirable 100,000 kuna donation to ten animal associations and shelters in Croatia last month. Founder Jelena Skendžić Ratkajec discusses the importance of social responsibility for companies in Croatia and each of us.

It's often easier to find an excuse for why we can't be responsible, help, or choose to remain silent. Turning heads is sometimes simpler than offering helping hands. 

However, Croatian beauty brand Skintegra is a shining example of a Croatian business putting social responsibility at the forefront of its philosophy. And despite the coronavirus pandemic, they donated a large sum of money to abandoned animals this year, reports Novi List.

Since its beginnings, the favorite Croatian cosmetics brand has been actively participating and organizing campaigns to raise public awareness for the protection and responsible treatment of animals.

The campaign titled #daj5 (#give5) was launched in October, the month dedicated to adopting animals. During the campaign, Skintegra donated 5 kuna for each product sold.

Soon, the campaign was supported by numerous fans of the brand. Those who posted photos with their pets on social networks with #daj5 saw another 5 kuna donation, thus collecting a total of 100,000 kuna in donations to shelters and associations throughout Croatia. 

“We have been supporting volunteer associations since the first year of business. In the first, second, and third year, it was a food donation. This year we decided to donate a sum of money.

We distributed the 100,000 kuna donation to 10 associations that have a lot of cats and dogs. The reason why we decided to make a monetary donation this year versus a food donation lies in the fact that in the meantime, we have learned about the many costs and problems that associations have, which I think people are not aware of," explained Jelena Skendžić Ratkajec, Skintegra founder.

As she points out, associations and shelters have several costs, such as those for sterilizations, treatment of numerous injuries when animals come from the street, and accommodation for those same animals.

“Of course, it all stems from our love for animals and care for the environment. It is a kind of personal mission that my husband and I have in our daily lives and committed ourselves when we started Skintegra.

We ourselves are foster parents of four street cats (one of which we adopted 9 years ago through Prava šapa), and I really can’t describe how positively they have changed our daily lives and us as humans. I would advise everyone to adopt an abandoned animal if you can afford it because I believe that animals enrich our lives and help us develop a special kind of empathy for the world around us,"  said Jelena.

Skintegra launched the first campaign in 2017, and Jelena remembers how modest she was in her reach, but it all came from the heart. Several thousand kuna was collected, and food was bought, which they personally distributed to associations throughout continental Croatia.

"It was in January, the weather was terrible, the roads were covered with snow, and these volunteers were so happy when they welcomed us. It opened my eyes to these people's needs: how little is enough to make a big difference in their lives and their efforts to help further. The following year we wanted to collect more, after that even more. A bit megalomaniacal, but with good intentions. 

This year was truly the crown of last year’s campaigns - we raised even more than we had planned. I am immensely grateful and happy for the people who decided to support our campaign and make my dream come true. And more than that, I am grateful to the volunteers who dedicate every day to what seems like a fight against windmills but still don’t give up on what’s right. That is the most beautiful example of the triumph of the will. "

The entire amount this year has already been distributed to asylums and associations throughout Croatia: Prava šapa, Association “SOS CAT” and Hrabre njuške from Zagreb, Association Deveti Život from Osijek, Detiti Život from Split, Association Sklonište dobrote from Čakovec, Žarkovica Azil from Dubrovnik, Udruga Šapa U Srcu from Ogulin, Papagalo Dog Shelter - Korcula and the Association Ruka Šapi Pula.

"I feel grateful, but also the urge to do more next year. I also feel humility. Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be in a position to help someone with a gesture like this.

I am humbled by the very idea that we can make a difference at all by giving up what should be normal and what we should all expect from companies as consumers. Next year we have to do more, and there is no compromise on that. Making the world a better place for tomorrow is everyone's responsibility," Jelena emphasized.

But it’s so easy to find an excuse not to take responsibility, especially this year when the coronavirus pandemic tests us in all walks of life. But as challenging as this year has been, it has not stopped Skintegra from achieving its goal.

"I can't say that this year we will have a decline compared to last year, although we will not have the growth we hoped for before COVID-19. But even if we had a drop in traffic, our mission would remain the same.

As I said before, we started giving support to volunteer associations in the most vulnerable period of our company's life - in the very beginning - and we never doubted that this was the right move for Skintegra. There is something called business logic, which ensures the ‘health’ of any growing company.

There is also something I call business empathy; it is the ability of those in leadership positions to see their employees as a priority, to lead by example, and to create positive change in their environment. In my opinion, logic is what should be in every company's background, but to lead a company forward, you need - empathy. The #daj5 campaign is simply a reflection of our philosophy and our internal values," Jelena explained uncompromisingly.

Recently, there has been an increasing talk of corporate social responsibility. Many companies worldwide use their influence to raise awareness of a particular issue or donate part of their income to charity. On the other hand, we can freely say that Croatia is lagging in this regard, especially when it comes to larger market players.

"Honestly, I would like other brands to follow the example of this positively intoned social practice, but you have noticed - companies that operate socially responsibly in Croatia are a rarity. Still, I think there is hope, and the situation is changing for the better.

I notice small but commendable steps, and I hope that every year the situation will get better. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a philosophy that every brand needs to have at its core to have the urge to do anything on that track at all.

In the background of socially responsible business is most often a waiver of a part of the profits. Still, it does not always have to be a modus operandi (for example, smaller companies that cannot afford it) - CSR can exist through raising awareness of a neglected but important topic. I think it’s important that everyone does something positive, as much as they can. That way, the whole world will be a better place," explained Jelena.

"The point is not that each of us makes grandiose socially responsible moves, but that we all pay small signs of attention to animals, the environment, neighbors, the elderly, and the infirm.

The little thing we can all give away is kindness. Too many people are burdened with negative worldviews and problems, and one small, honest, and kind word can truly brighten someone’s whole day. Additionally, the thing we can all do is recycle. The very fact that we recycle and that we are a kind person already makes us a better fellow citizen, neighbor, and friend, and it costs us nothing," advises Jelena

Jelena and her hard-working team at Skintegra will not stand on truly commendable results from this year but are planning what they can achieve in 2021.

"We already know roughly what we want to achieve next year and how we will implement it, but as our customers like a healthy dose of mystery and anticipation, it would not be fair to say all about it now, so I would like to wait until next year and, hopefully, better circumstances before we set out all the plans.

I can promise that next year we will certainly be re-engaged around the same campaign and express hope for even greater success. I believe that together we can achieve that," concluded Jelena.

Translated from Novi List

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December 15, 2020 - The Croatia water polo team will jump back into the European World League Qualifiers in Hungary next month before heading to Rotterdam for the highly anticipated Olympic qualifiers for Tokyo 2020. 

Debrecen, a city in far eastern Hungary, will host the European World League Qualifying Tournament from January 8 to 10, 2021. It is a World League competition from the 2019/20 season, which was interrupted in March this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eight national teams will travel to Debrecen, including Croatia, based on the previous order in the groups that have more or less come to an end.

The 'Barracudas' will play against the national team of Montenegro on the first day of the tournament, the quarterfinal day, at 4:45 p.m.

The quarterfinal match between Serbia - Spain in Debrecen will still be played. However, the result in that match is completely irrelevant because these two teams have already met in the group. Spain won 13:11 and thus qualified for the semifinals.

Quarterfinal pairs, January 8, 2021:

(15.00) Serbia - Spain

(16.45) CROATIA - Montenegro

(18.30) Italy - Hungary

(20.15) France - Greece

Semi-final pairs, January 9, 2021:

(18.30) winner Croatia / Montenegro - winner Italy / Hungary

(20.15) Spain - winner France / Greece

The three best national teams from Debrecen will qualify for the final tournament of the World League.

Croatia will also compete in the 2020 Men's Water Polo Olympic Qualification tournament next year. Originally scheduled to take place in March, the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans, and the tournament was then postponed from May 31 to June 7, 2020, and finally from February 21 to 28,  2021.

The Olympic qualifiers will be held in Rotterdam, and only the top three teams will advance to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Croatia will play in Group B with the Netherlands, France, Russia, Germany, and Romania.

Croatia water polo will gather for the first time on December 27 this year in Zagreb, and coach Ivica Tucak will announce the candidates next week.

Source: HVS

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 15, 2020 - In ten days, Brac locals collected 1,515 liters of homemade olive oil for health workers in Croatia on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus. A huge success!

The idea came from Sutivan, and it was accepted by all Brac municipalities and the Tourist Board, which organized the action, reports 24 Sata.

Brac locals thus donated the most valuable thing they have, oil from their olive groves, which came from all corners of the island.

After consultations with the largest Croatian COVID hospital in Dubrava, the oil will be delivered to several medical centers throughout Croatia.

To make the gift to Croatian health workers even more beautiful, all the labels on the bottles were painted by students from elementary schools and Brac kindergartens:

"We wanted to brighten up the holidays for those who have the hardest time fighting this pandemic, and that is our doctors, nurses, and other medical staff."

An announcement from the Bol Tourist Board on November 30: 

"To make the holiday season more cheerful, a humanitarian action was launched where Brac citizens can donate their olive oil to the Clinical Hospital Centers in Croatia, or to the hardworking people who work in them, especially in these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. All towns on the island of Brac are included in the action, and the Tourist Boards take over the coordination," announced the Municipality of Bol Tourist Board.

"If you want to participate in this humanitarian action 'Brac oil for hardworking people' (or in the Brac dialect, 'Bročko uje za vridne jude'), please bring the amount of olive oil you would like to donate (minimum 1 liter) to the Tourist Board of Bol office, from Monday, November 30, 2020, to Friday, December 4, 2020, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.

It would be best if the oil is packaged in glass, but it is not necessary. Place your labels on the packaging, and if you don't have any, the children from the "Little Prince" Kindergarten will draw them for you for this occasion.

After the collection is completed, olive oil will be distributed to the Clinical Hospital Centers in Croatia, and we will, of course, inform you about the exact destinations and quantities.

Let our oil bring joy and make the holidays more beautiful for all who care about our health and to all who, unfortunately, will spend these holidays separated from their loved ones.

"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who will respond to this truly commendable action!" the Bol Tourist Board said on November 30. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, Dec 14, 2020 - The Croatian Pension Insurance Fund (HZMO)  will start accepting applications by elderly persons for the right to a national pension as of tomorrow, and about 20,000 beneficiaries who will receive HRK 800 per month are expected next year, Minister Josip Aladrovic said on Monday.

The law on a national allowance for the elderly, which enters into force on 1 January 2021, provides for an income for Croatian citizens over the age of 65 who have not secured an old age income and are not entitled to a pension.

The allowance will be paid by the HZMO  through commercial banks, and first payments will be made in February 2021 for January 2021.

The national allowance for the elderly will cover the most vulnerable part of the population, Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Minister Josip Aladrovic told reporters ahead of a government session.

The estimated cost in the state budget is HRK 132 million, and we have ensured that much for 2021, he said.

It will be possible to submit an application for the national allowance in person at a regional HZMO office, by mail or online through the e-Citizen system.

Aladrovic said that the target group were elderly citizens who did not have enough years of insurance and who were not covered by the social welfare system for some reason.

Those are citizens who have more than 20 years of uninterrupted residence in the Republic of Croatia, fewer than 15 years of pensionable service and who are over 65 years of age, he said.

ZAGREB, Dec 14, 2020 -The government on Monday approved state aid for the national flag carrier, Croatia Airlines amounting to HRK 600 million, HRK 350 million of which refers to investing fresh capital in the company and HRK 250 million as an equity loan.

The decision was made in line with the European Commission's temporary framework allowing member states to provide additional support to the business sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, CA has been given support in an effort to resolve the its liquidity problems and to boost its capital.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butkovic said that the pandemic has had and still has a destructive impact on the global airline industry which is faced with the most difficult crisis ever.

Croatia Airlines is not an exception, said Butkovic, explaining that other airlines have recorded a decrease in traffic of 65% to 90% compared to 2019.

The national flag carrier has a strategic role in Croatia's transport infrastructure which was evident in these times of crisis.

The government's decision resolves the company's urgent problems, adding that money for this was ensured in this year's budget revision.

Finance Minister Zdravko Maric said that this model of injecting fresh capital and providing an equity loan will financially stabilise the CA airline.

The government authorised Minister Butkovic to increase the airline's stock capital at a meeting of the shareholders' general assembly.

An extraordinary general assembly was convened today for shareholders to decide on increasing the company's stock capital by HRK 350 million by issuing shares and that the state would participate in that. That would increase the airline's equity from HRK 277.88 million to HRK 627.88 million by releasing 35 million new ordinary shares at a nominal price of HRK 10.

The equity loan of HRK 250 million should stabilise the airline's business operations and prevent negative consequences to the population and economy, which will be felt directly by the airline and tourism sectors and indirectly by other economic branches, the government said.

(€1 = HRK 7.542016