June 17, 2020 - The No. 1 tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, arrived in Zadar on Tuesday ahead of the Adria Tour humanitarian tournament. 

"I have been all over Croatia, but I have never been to Zadar, and I am looking forward to meeting Zadar and the people here and all the participants of the Adria Tour. I am very excited and happy to have the opportunity to visit Zadar as part of the Adria Tour, and then a few more locations in the region," Djokovic said upon his arrival, revealing that he did not know that Zadar was Luka Modric's hometown.

It didn't take long for Djokovic to dip into the local mindset, as he was filmed at training at a Zadar beach. 

"Mother Nature's Gym," he shared on Facebook with a short video. The post even prompted a reaction from American football legend Tom Brady - "The best!"

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that the final preparations are underway for the Adria Tour. The main court, which boasts room for nine thousand spectators, will be filled to half capacity to meet COVID-19 measures.

Tournament participants include world no. 1 Novak Djokovic, German star Alexander Zverev, and Gregori Dimitrov from Bulgaria, as well as Croatian Davis Cup national team members Marin Cilic and Borna Coric.

It has been known for a long time that Dominic Thiem, Austria's best tennis player, will not come to Visnjik, so there are three vacancies left. One spot should be filled by Felix Auger Aliasiemm, and the seventh participant will be obtained after the final of the HEP tournament. 

Yesterday, Novak trained with Borna Coric at the tennis courts of TK Zadar 08 in the bay Drosanjica, which was followed by a line of eager fans waiting for an autograph. It was also on these courts that Borna took his first tennis steps, as his grandmother lives nearby.

After training, the great Nole signed the club's bulletin board and thus left his historical mark on a humble Zadar tennis court.

Although he did not appear on the central ground of the Visnjik Sports Center, Zverev did his training at the Falkensteiner & Spa Hotel Iadera in Petrcane. Just after noon on Tuesday, Zverev stayed with the Djokovic family on the luxury yacht Asha, and sailed together to the Kornati National Park on Wednesday morning.

Goran Ivanisevic, tournament director for Adria Tour Croatia, aired his thoughts on the Adria Tour in Serbia, emphasizing that it was a tennis mega-spectacle and that he is convinced that things will be even better in Zadar.

"It is a real shame to miss the matches that await us in Zadar," said Ivanisevic, obviously satisfied with the fact that apart from Djokovic, a tennis player who conquered the world not only with his game but also with his sportsmanship and humanitarian efforts, the audience will admire the moves of other tennis stars. 

Only one question remains: "Are there any tickets left?"

The world is buzzing about the Adria Tour, as is evidenced by the fact that the scenes from Zadar will be broadcast to 110 countries on all continents.

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

June 18, 2020 - The 29th round of the Croatian First League was played mid-week, from June 16 to 17, 2020. This round saw a shocking Hajduk loss to Varazdin, the second-to-last placed team in the standings. 

Istra 1960 v. Inter Zapresic (2:0)

Istra and Inter opened the 29th round in Pula on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. 

Istra's Bosancic scored the first goal of the game 6 minutes in for 1:0. A Grzan penalty in the 34th minute gave Istra the 2:0 lead, and the final score of the game. 

Istra is currently in 8th place with 22 points, while Inter is in the last place with 17. 

Hajduk v. Varazdin (2:3)

Hajduk and Varazdin met on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

Hajduk was down 0:3 at the half thanks to goals by Drozdek (19', 40') and Mamic (24'). Hajduk's Vuskovic came back for 1:3 in the 49th minute, and Caktas made it 2:3 in the 74th, which was the final score of the game.

Hajduk has now dropped to 3rd place with 51 points, and Varazdin is in 9th place with 21. 

Rijeka v. Lokomotiva (2:2)

Rijeka and Lokomotiva met at Rujevica Stadium on June 16, 2020. 

Lokomotiva took the lead thanks to a Kastrati goal in the 36th minute for 0:1. Yakete equalized in the 66th minute for 1:1, and Andrijasevic gave Rijeka the lead for 2:1. Karacic scored a penalty for Lokomotiva in the 84th for 2:2 and the final score of the game. 

Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 52 points, while Lokomotiva is in 4th place with 50. 

Dinamo Zagreb v. Slaven Belupo (3:2) 

Dinamo and Belupo met on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Maksimir Stadium. 

Dinamo was up by two goals in the 37th minute thanks to Kadzior and Ivanusec, though an own goal by Theophile-Catherine made it 2:1 at the half. Mateus scored the equalizer for  Belupo in the 49th minute, and a late goal by Petkovic in the 90th minute gave Dinamo the 3:2 victory. 

Dinamo is currently in first place with 71 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 28. 

Osijek v. Gorica (2:1)

Osijek and Gorica closed out the 29th round on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. 

Maric put Osijek in the lead in the 35th minute for 1:0 at the half. Zaper increased Osijek's lead to 2:0 in the 57th minute, though a late goal by Lovric in the second minute of injury time made it 2:1.

Osijek is currently in 5th place with 49 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 39. 

You can see the full HNL table here.

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

June 18, 2020 - Senior representatives from Croatia, Israel and Sweden gathered in Zagreb at a CroAI conference on the reaction to the EU white paper on AI strategy. There are few finer examples of the competence of the current Croatian administration. 

Just over a year ago, MBA Croatia organised a Croatia 2.0 conference in Zagreb called How to Be Globally Competitive from Croatia. You can read a full account of the conference in Celebrating Croatian Global Excellence and Opportunity at 1st MBA Croatia Conference.

It was an excellent conference, full of stimulating ideas and experiences from other countries. Speakers and panelists came from Latvia, North Macedonia, Nigeria, Malta, as well as the Israeli Ambassador Ilan Mor, who gave a great account of how a small country not much bigger than Croatia managed to become almost self-sufficient, as well as one of the leading tech countries in the world - necessity is the mother of invention. 

The organisers decided to stream the conference live and to make it available online, so that it could reach an international audience, who could learn about the considerable successes of private business in Croatia in the fields of IT and innovation. 

But someone objected to the fact that the conference was in English. With just a few foreigners in the room, why could it not be in Croatian?

I did not recognise the person objecting (you can see the objection above), but knew it was some government official who was attending the conference. 

It was only later that I learned that the person objecting was a Deputy Minister of the Economy. I was a little surprised, but then nothing really surprises me in Croatia these days. Until... 

... last month when I was invited to a CroAI conference on the Croatia AI community's reaction to the recent EU white paper on AI strategy. I was hugely surprised to find not only that our English-shy deputy minister was the official government panelist next to the Swedish and Israeli ambassadors and the president of CroAI, but that he was actually leading the EU's AI efforts currently due to Croatia holding the EU Presidency.  

I know very little about AI (but that is about to change), and it was fascinating to listen to the Swedish and Israeli ambassadors presenting their countries and AI efforts and successes. Israeli Ambassador Ilan Mor is a titan, and one of the most effective ambassadors in Zagreb currently. Proud of his country and passionate about his mission, I have heard him speak at several conferences in the last year or so, and  my thoughts were echoed by two attendees at this CroAI conference afterwards:

"If only we had someone like Ilan pushing Croatia's agenda - what progress we could make."

After his impressive presentation, during which he said that Israel was lagging behind in AI research (third behind China and the US) and was planning to increase its current 4.9% of GDP spent on R&D, came the video. Check out what Israeli AI is giving the world. 

Next up, Sweden, and another great presentation from the new Swedish ambassador, who I heard speak for the first time. She did very well, and had this outstanding video to showcase Swedish excellence. Sweden, too, is lagging behind. They too, plan on increasing their R&D budget from the current 3.6%.

And then came the Croatian 'presentation'.

There was no video. In fact, there was nothing of substance at all (you can see the entire conference below and judge for yourselves). And, the more the empty words continued, the more I looked around the room. Shining examples of excellence from Israel and Sweden yes, but SO many bright and talented young Croatian entrepreneurs doing outstanding things. All they are looking for - just like the medical tourism industry in Croatia - is for legislation and financial support. And then for the government to get out of the way and let them grow the industry and fill the government coffers with the revenues made. 

I can't recall a situation where Croatia's weakness and poor leadership was so clearly shown, while its private sector looked so competent than at that CroAI conference. And I wondered indeed what might we achieve if someone like the Israeli ambassador was fighting their corner. I decided to ask the Deputy Minister some questions. You can see the exchange above. 

My questions were:

What percentage of GDP does Croatia spend on R&D?

Does Croatia have a video like Israel and Sweden? If yes, can we see it? If no, why not?

Which official website do I visit to learn more about the government's AI strategy and progress reports?

You can watch the answers and judge for yourselves. 

Only 13 sleeps until Germany takes control of the EU. 

Are you interested in a better Croatia for your children? If you would like to get involved in creating Croatia 2.0, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject AI conference. The CROMADS website goes live next month, but you can follow CROMADS on Facebook already. 

CROMADS: Why You Should Move to Croatia, With or Without Uhljebistan

June 17, 2020 — The Croatian government in a secretive mid-March meeting reportedly tried to guide journalists’ coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and the measures meant to fight it. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and nearly every minister allegedly nudged news organizations towards a narrative of a competent government helming the COVID-19 response. The press obliged.

Government representatives, led by Plenković, held a secret meeting with editors-in-chief of print news and national television and radio on March 17 according to Index, at which the HDZ chief and members of his government instructed media editors on how to report during a coronavirus epidemic.

Croatia ranks 59^th in 2020’s Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, well behind many of its EU peers. The organization’s report says journalists are regularly subjected to harassment and lawsuits which open the door to financially punishing reporters for doing their jobs.

The government also controls many spigots of advertising money via publicly-controlled monopolies such as Zagreb Holding and FINA. Media organizations in the government’s good graces often receive advertising orders from these entities. Those with the temerity to do their jobs miss out.

It’s exactly the sort of environment which makes secretive meetings between the press and government ahead of a battery of controversial measures, at best, confounding.

Three months after Index Investigations asked the government for information on the details of the meeting and after two complaints to the Office of the Information Commissioner, this week, after Plenković's Office persistently ignored our inquiries, Index finally received some details about the meeting.

The government sent the site list of participants, but not the minutes of the meeting. The government claims that there is no such record, which is very strange because it is an official meeting at the government premises.

Andrej Plenković, as the first man of the government, organized a meeting with the editors-in-chief of television stations, print media and radio broadcasters in Croatia, as the government assured Index, "on the activities undertaken to combat the coronavirus epidemic, as well as shared responsibilities in the fight against false news and timely and accurate public information on all the circumstances of the epidemic.”

The following people took part in the meeting in the government, as ordered in Plenković’s office: 

Goran Ogurlić — Jutarnji List

Dražen Klarić — Večernji List

Ivica Tomić — Novi List

Robert Frank — Glas Istre

Jadran Kapor — Slobodna Dalmacija

Bojan Divjak — Glas Slavonije

Goran Gavranovic — 24 sata

Berislav Jelinic — Nacional

Zdravko Milinovic — Globus

Miodrag Sajatovic — Lider

Eliana Candrlic — Hrvatski Radio

Silvija Londero — Media Servis

Tina Zagar — N1

Tanja Novak — Al Jazeera

Katarina Periša Čakarun —HTV

Željka Marijanović — RLT

Branimir Felger — Nova TV

These are the leading people of these media and correspondence (Al Jazeera), and the only exception is Tina Žagar from N1, who is a producer, not editor-in-chief.

Who was everyone from the government at the meeting? 

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković

Damir Krstičević, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior

Zdravko Marić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Vili Beroš, Minister of Health

Tomo Medved, Minister of Croatian Veterans

Blaženka Divjak, Minister of Science and Education

Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Minister of Culture

Boris Vujčić, Croatian National Bank Governor

Zvonimir Frka-Petešić, Head of the Office of the Prime Minister

Tena Mišetić, Deputy Head of the Office of the Prime Minister

Marko Milić, Government Spokesman

Representatives of the Croatian Journalists 'Association and representatives of the journalists' union were not present at the meeting. After the meeting, the government told Index that they did not call the representatives of other media because they wanted to avoid mass events — even though the meeting held nearly 30 participants.

The most controversial part of the meeting was the Minister of Culture’s mentioning of the crisis of 2008, when media revenues tanked due to fewer ads. Also, Plenković emphasized at the meeting that the goal of the media must be to avoid panic by promoting the work of the government, which, as they emphasized several times at the meeting, “took all necessary measures on time” and had “enough capacity to overcoming the crisis.”

What happened in the media after the meeting?

Shortly after the meeting, the media published articles praising the work of the government and HDZ’s members of the National Crisis Staff, as well as a strong campaign in the print media and on national television in which Minister of Health Vili Beroš was proclaimed a hero. 

The government’s decisions were announced without any critical tone, and the basic idea was to shift the blame to the citizens. The message was simple: the government has done everything, but it is the citizens who are disobedient, so unpopular measures must be taken.

After the meeting, advertisements of state and public monopolists appeared on the portals of some print media (such as Fina and Zagreb Holding, which have no competition and therefore do not need ads, especially in times of crisis), in columns that promote staying home during a pandemic.

What exactly was said at the meeting? There is no official information because, as they say in the government, there is no record of that meeting.

“By the response of the Public Relations Service of the Government of the Republic of Croatia dated March 20, 2020, you received confirmation of the meeting of Prime Minister Plenković with the editors-in-chief of television, print media and radio broadcasters in Croatia, as well as the fact that This public authority does not have a meeting, we submit this response in accordance with the provisions of the Right to Access Information Act,” reads the government's response in which they attached a note on the meeting, in which the invited participants are listed.

June 17, 2020 - We've almost gotten over our anxieties over the numerous earthquakes that hit Zagreb in 2020, but yet another one of them hit us today. 

The major earthquakes which hit Zagreb on March 22, 2020, have wreaked havoc in the city centre, and have been followed by numerous aftershocks. Most of them were not remarkable, but some of them the citizens of Zagreb will remember, as they still grapple with the consequences of The Big One, happening on that snowy morning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The earthquake which was felt in Zagreb today was not of that magnitude, nor is it expected that it caused any damage. It's just that the people of this city have mostly, honestly, had enough. This is not a seismically very active part of the world, and we're not used to earthquakes like people in Japan or California are, so we'd just like for the earthquakes to be over by now. The experts, however, are warning us that it takes time for the soil to settle after "the big one" (and in terms of seismicity of this region, the earthquake we had in March was, in fact, a big one), so we'll just have to live with the soil settling for a while. 

(The image is a screenshot of the horizontal mechanical seismograph, installed in Zagreb in 1909; time in UTC)

The EMSC reports that the magnitude of the latest earthquake was M 2.9, while some Croatian sources claim it was M 3.1. 

The story says that the big earthquake which ruined Zagreb in 1880 was followed by 30 years (!) of moderate earthquakes. I just hope it won't be that many years before the COVID earthquake of 2020 which hit Zagreb is finally done. 

ZAGREB, June 17, 2020 - Croatia is a safe country and one of the few countries that will have a tourism season this year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Davor Bozinovic said on Wednesday, adding that the more than 350,000 tourists had announced their arrival via the Enter Croatia system.

"Croatia is perceived as a desirable country to come to for a vacation and at the moment it is probably the only country with announcements of foreign tourists arriving and with congestion at border crossings," Bozinovic said at the opening of a headquarters for the implementation of safety measures during the 2020 tourism season.

Bozinovic recalled that last year 20 million tourists visited Croatia and generated 90 million bed nights.

"We probably won't reach those numbers this year but based on today's reports we can say that the entire security system has proved to be exceptionally efficient in resolving crises, regardless of whether they be an epidemic, crimes or wildfires," he underscored.

"Our Homeland Security system is sending a message not only to Croatian citizens but to foreigners as well - Croatia is a safe country and this year again foreign tourists can feel safe here," he said.

Reporters wanted to know the minister's position regarding wearing masks as tourists are confused because the majority of people in Croatia are not wearing them.

"It is always better to have a mask than not, but it is not compulsory. If we were to introduce that as a compulsory measure, that would mean that the situation is a lot worse than it is," he explained.

He added that the epidemic is under control in Croatia. "Our numbers are low but we have to keep in mind the situation in neighboring countries, in Europe as well as globally, as it indicates that the virus is still present," he said.

Croatia is prepared to react if hotspots emerge

Bozinovic underlined that Croatia is prepared to react should certain coronavirus hotspots emerge.

"We have shown that we know how to handle those challenges, that we first of all have the people but also the technology and experience that can guarantee safety," he said.

This is the third year that the safety headquarters is being opened during the tourist season to protect citizens, property, and tourists during the season.

Last year a record number of foreign police officers, 95, came to Croatia from 19 countries to help during the tourism season. At the moment there are 36 police officers from nine countries who have registered to participate and join their Croatian colleagues in making the season safe in Croatia.

ZAGREB, June 17, 2020 - The fight against corruption and clientelism, boosting the economy and a better education system are the key points of the "Croatia is awakening" platform presented by the Bridge party for the July 5 election.

Our platform is a realistic framework unlike those of others who are offering fairy tales and promises and offending the people's intelligence. We are offering something that can be achieved and that Croatia needs - a decent life for every citizen and a just system, Bridge leader Bozo Petrov said presenting the party's platform.

Chief State Prosecutor should be appointed by a two-thirds majority in parliament

In addition to the three key points, Bridge's platform deals with other issues such as health, agriculture, and the status of pensioners. We have an answer to all those issues, said Petrov.

The party's political secretary, Nikola Grmoja, said that it was necessary to change the judiciary and speed up proceedings in order to attract foreign investments.

"We want to change the model of appointment of the chief state prosecutor, who is currently appointed by the ruling majority through corrupt bartering, and extend their term in office. They should be appointed by a two-thirds majority in the parliament," said Grmoja.

The Conflict of Interest Commission should have more powers and be transformed into an anti-corruption agency, Bridge representatives said, adding that they would insist on transparent spending by public officials and on making public the budgets of all government bodies.

Education sold to satisfy political interests

Heading the party's slate in  Constituency 1, Marija Selak Raspudic underscored that education is high on the list of Bridge's policies as is the problem of democracy deficit so that the shameful political trade-offs that occurred in the last government with the Croatian People's Party (HNS) could be prevented.

"We witnessed the sale of the education sector to satisfy one's own political interests," she said and added that the education reform needs to be impartially evaluated.

The deficit of democracy is evident in the fact that the parliamentary election was called in the midst of the pandemic, Selak Raspudic said, warning that electronic and postal voting was not possible and that referendums had been thwarted.

Bridge is offering amendments to the election law with more preferential votes, she said.

Responding to reporters' questions regarding failed negotiations with the Homeland Movement, Grmoja said that negotiations were held, however, Bridge could not come to terms with being on the same slates as defectors who joined Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic's Labour and Solidarity Party.

"Skoro has attracted a wide variety of people, while we are glad that we are going to the election with new, uncompromised people because only people like that can bring change," he said.

ZAGREB, June 17, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros on Wednesday said that the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) election platform contained a solution that would enable the health system to become financially sustainable, noting that currently, it was neither sustainable nor good, particularly for patients.

"At the start of my term in office, I said that the health system was not in the best financial situation and that we have to define solutions that will enable it to be financially sustainable. The HDZ's election platform provides solutions that will regulate more adequately the health system's financial operations because now it is neither sustainable nor good, particularly for patients," Beros told reporters.

HDZ's platform oriented towards prevention, accessibility of primary health care 

"Our platform is oriented towards preventative activities. Part of those activities is the need for self-sufficiency in the production of vaccines and blood plasma derivatives," underscored Beros.

He announced digital solutions that will improve accessibility to health protection.

"We have to work on improving access to primary health care... it is necessary to introduce an emergency helicopter medical service," he said and added that water ambulances for the islands and coastal communities would soon be introduced. 

"We want to correct policies regarding the needs of the health system in the future so that we do not have a shortage of medical staff in certain areas of the country," he added.

Firefighters will receive instructions related to coronavirus during firefighting season

Commenting on the coronavirus pandemic, Beros said that the virus and the related measures would also have an impact on the fire season.

"The Croatian Institute for Public Health will issue firefighters with detailed instructions about what they should be wary of" during the firefighting season, Beros said.