EP Calls for Assistance to Croatia in Dealing with Earthquake Aftermath
ZAGREB, 21 January 2021 - Members of the European Parliament on Thursday called on the European Commission to use all instruments available to help Croatia repair the damage caused by a string of quakes that hit the country last year and revitalise the affected areas that were neglected even before the disaster.
At a plenary session, MEPs discussed a motion for a resolution to mitigate the consequences of the earthquakes in Croatia, which is expected to be adopted unanimously in the afternoon.
The motion was initiated by Croatian MEP Valter Flego, with all Croatian MEPs taking part in drafting it.
Last year Croatia was struck by two strong earthquakes that were followed by a number of aftershocks. On 22 March, a 5.5 earthquake shook Zagreb and two adjacent counties, killing a 12-year-old girl and damaging over 26,000 buildings. On 29 December, a 6.2 earthquake struck Sisak-Moslavina County, killing seven people and demolishing over 30,000 buildings.
"Today MEPs from the left to the right of the political spectrum underlined the importance of EU membership and solidarity Croatia can count on," said Dubravka Šuica, who took part in the discussion on behalf of the Commission.
She said that aid to the affected areas concerned her portfolio as well, which is demography, because those areas had witnessed a continued demographic decline even before the quakes.
"That is why it is important to renew the economy and infrastructure simultaneously with housing reconstruction so that people can stay in that area," Šuica said, adding that during the reconstruction process account should also be taken of the digital and green transition in accordance with the EU's priorities in the next budget period.
MEP Flego said that the resolution was very important because it required the Commission to do all it could to help Croatia, relying on the Solidarity Fund, the seven-year budget and the Civil Protection Mechanism.
"Croatia needs assistance right now, with as little bureaucracy and as much solidarity as possible," Flego said, adding that he was glad that the other Croatian MEPs had joined this initiative to pass a resolution.
Karlo Ressler said: "This is a universal message of solidarity and hope to everyone in Croatia, to the earthquake victims, Croatian authorities, Croatian military, volunteers, to all those providing assistance on an ongoing basis." He also highlighted the need to renew the economy and people's livelihoods in the affected areas along with housing reconstruction.
Željana Zovko said that the Banovina region should be assisted in the same way as Zagreb, suggesting the use of new instruments being proposed by the Commission, such as the development of new environmentally-friendly and safe architecture known as the New European Bauhaus.
Fred Matić said that the most important message of the resolution was that all Croatian citizens could see the benefits of belonging to the large European family. "Even if we weren't a member, we would probably receive aid, but being a full member I expect us to be well supported, and then it is up to us to make use of it," he added.
Tonino Picula said that a natural disaster must not be allowed to turn into a social disaster in affected areas. "I am confident that aid will reach those that need it the most and that it will be used both to repair the damage and to revitalise the economy in order to make up for what failed to be done during post-war reconstruction," he said.
The draft resolution "calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the EU and Croatian institutions, to devise a swift way of distributing the necessary financial and other assistance to ensure a speedy recovery of the affected areas."
In approving financial aid, the Commission is called upon to take account of the fact that Croatia is at the same time also dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
Croatia is called upon "to prioritise renovation in its recovery and resilience plan, devoting particular attention to comprehensive preventative renovations that ensure the highest seismic standards for housing and buildings at greatest risk in its most earthquake-prone regions."
The document says that the reconstruction process should be carried out as swiftly as possible, respecting transparency, applying best professional practices and taking account of the demographic aspect. Special focus should be placed on building the basic infrastructure that was lacking prior to the earthquake and access to basic needs and services should be promptly re-established in all parts of the affected areas.
The Commission is called upon to extend the 18-month time limit for the use of funds from the European Solidarity Fund in the event of a devastating earthquake.
Croatian Lottery Distributes HRK 100m to Good Causes, HRK 315m in Prizes in 2020
ZAGREB, 21 January 2021 - In 2020, the Croatian lottery company "Hrvatska Lutrija" set aside about HRK 100 million for humanitarian purposes to support relief drives, sporting and cultural events and other good causes, the Zagreb-based company reported on Thursday.
Last year, HRK 315 million was distributed in prizes, and the the highest amount of the prize, HRK 75 million, was claimed in the Eurojackpot game, while HRK 57 million was distributed in prizes in the Loto 7 game.
According to the company's statistics, January was the most fortunate month for participants in the Hrvatska Lutrija games, as seven big prizes were won in that month, while six big prizes were won in October and August each.
(€1= HRK 7.542228)
Beautiful Osijek to be Transformed into Tourist Magnet with 18 Million Kuna
January the 21st, 2021 - Osijek, one of Croatia's eastern cities, doesn't often find itself on the typical tourist map. Continental Croatia is still very much being discovered, with even Zagreb being relatively new on there when compared to the Adriatic coast and its wild popularity. Eastern Croatia is even more neglected, in almost every sense. Is all that about to change for beautiful Osijek?
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, the City of Osijek is investing a massive 18 million kuna into the renovation and refurbishment of a neglected historic space into a regional reception info-tourist centre in central Osijek. The facilities it is set to boast will promote the tourist attractions of Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County and the wider region of eastern Croatia in general.
The project is co-financed from European Union funds in the amount of 85 percent, and includes the reconstruction of an old Austro-Hungarian stable covering 40 thousand square metres, the construction of more roads and car parks, as well as a lot of landscaping.
“The group of contractors involved, the companies Kale and Binder, were all introduced into the works two weeks ago, and the deadline for completion of works is June 2022.
Through this project, we anticipate the creation of new jobs in beautiful Osijek, an increase in the number of visits to the city's tourist attractions and a number of new programmes for the development of cultural and natural heritage in regional destinations,'' said the Deputy Mayor of Osijek, Zana Gamos.
According to Kornelija Mlinarevic, head of the Administrative Department for European Union Programmes, a stop for buses and cars will be arranged next to the centre itself, and since it is located near the state road and two EuroVelo routes, part of the offer will be adapted to cyclists.
"After the realisation of this project for beautiful Osijek, this will be a place where there will be a special shopping area for authentic local and regional products, ATMs and exchange offices, as well as space for travel agencies and guides, toilets and other facilities," concluded Mlinarevic.
In addition, she explained, the City of Osijek plans to move GPP’s depot from its current space to the east of the city, which will open up space to build a prefabricated garage which will be able to accommodate as many as 345 cars.
This would move the curreny car park away from the city's fortress and enable its further development as a cultural and tourist centre of beautiful Osijek.
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Croatian Platform Einstructions Excels in Home Schooling Field
January the 21st, 2021 - The Croatian platform Einstructions has gone from strength to strength as a result of the home schooling and distance learning choice for children during the pandemic.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes, on Monday this week, the second semester started online for most of Croatia's students, which is a short-term solution for now until the epidemiological picture improves.
While classes were held online last year, another market was evolving - online instructions. Last November, the first Croatian platform for online instruction - ematematika.hr, was presented, the founder of which is Robert Pavlik, a mechanical engineer who recently offered packages for students for both preparation for graduation.
This type of instruction is currently the most practical and safest solution, he claims, and elementary school friends Roman Krvavica and Robert Ljubanovic agree with him, and they recently presented a new platform and virtual classroom - the Croatian platform Einstrukcije.com - where parents and primary and secondary school students can arrange a term of instructions for mastering all of their school material online.
Robert is in charge of communication and selection of instructors in the team, and Roman is in charge of the technical side of the Croatian platform Einstructions, as well as the user experience.
Linking supply and demand
“The idea emerged back in the spring of 2020 after the situation with the pandemic arose and the lockdown followed. After analysing the market, we realised that such a project is necessary in Croatia because we can connect both supply and demand, and set up as a platform for giving instructions with proven instructors.
Giving instructions has always been a segment in the grey or black zone that hasn't received much attention and yet is very necessary. The first version of the Croatian platform Einstructions came to life back in December 2020, and with additional functional adjustments from the beginning of January 2021, it's now in full swing,'' say the founders.
So far, they have fourteen instructors, mostly graduates with many years of experience who have passed a detailed test. In addition to the entire material, they also offer graduation instructions.
"Nine more instructors are coming. We're working on expansion so that we can offer all other subjects for high schools, and we're open to all students and professors who want to give instructions,'' they say.
Instructors inform the child's parent about the progress of each online meeting held with the student. The price of instructions per school hour (45 minutes) stands at a reasonable 75 kuna, and as all platform instructors are connected to the app for making appointments through which synchronisation is done in real time, it is possible to book an appointment in a few simple steps without prior agreement with the instructor.
Such educational platforms, also available on mobile devices, are gaining momentum according to the website of Trading Platforms, one of the leading educational online platforms. Its experts predict that time spent on educational apps in the next four years will record an annual growth rate of 62 percent, followed by business apps with 57 percent, which means that platforms such as eMatematika.hr and the Croatian platform Einstructions have yet to experience their ''boom''.
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Hvar Clock Tower Gets New Attire, Soon Welcomes Its First Visitors
January 21, 2021 - The renovation of the Hvar clock tower, the so-called Leroj from the 15th century, is close to its completion. Once all works are finished, it will open to visitors for the first time.
In the final stage of renovation that started in 2016, the interior of the Hvar clock tower Leroj (meaning hour, clock), finally takes on a new look and acquires a new user value. Located in the very center of Hvar town, along with the city loggia, the clock tower is the only preserved part of the Governor's Palace complex. It was demolished in the early 20th century due to the Empress Elizabeth Hotel's construction, today's Palace Elizabeth Hotel, the first five-star hotel on Hvar.
Palace Elizabeth Hotel, city loggia, and clock tower in the very center of Hvar / Donatella Pauković
As reported from the City of Hvar, after the completion of works on constructive repairs (according to the project of the engineering bureau Kulić from Split), the works on the interior decoration continued according to the project of the authorized architect Branka Petković.
As part of the project, a hitherto non-existent and much-needed infrastructure was introduced – electricity, water, drainage (sanitary facilities), and the internal walls were arranged. New mezzanine constructures were installed, connected by a complex suspended metal staircase with a continuous panel made of perforated sheet metal.
Facebook Hvar Town
The Hvar clock tower now received an exit to the roof terrace paved with stone, just like the ground floor, which has a new entrance door and glass walls.
The original bell from 1564 has been restored. Final works also include installing wooden floor coverings, final varnishing of all metal parts of the interior and staircase, installation of decorative interior lighting, and restoration of the original clock mechanism from the 19th century. The company Neir from Split performs constructive renovation and interior decoration works.
Facebook Hvar Town
The square clock tower built east of the city hall loggia was initially part of the Rector's Palace's defense system within the medieval southern walls. In 1564, it was converted into a tower – leroj – by installing a public city clock and bells. It was last restored in 1903, and after the completion of all works, it will be open to visitors for the first time.
Facebook Hvar Town
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Ivo Žinić Resigns as Head of HDZ's Sisak-Moslavina County Committee
ZAGREB, 21 January 2021 - Sisak-Moslavina County Prefect Ivo Žinić has resigned as head of the county branch of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, the HDZ announced on Thursday.
The HDZ's Sisak-Moslavina County Committee will be led until party elections by Ivan Celjak, the chairman of the HDZ organisation in Sisak and a member of the national parliament.
On the initiative of the HDZ leader, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the party's leadership met on Wednesday afternoon to discuss ambiguities surrounding the properties owned by Žinić. After he was informed of the meeting's conclusions, Žinić tendered his resignation this morning and would not run for County Prefect in local elections in May.
The HDZ's Požega-Slavonia County Committee decided on Wednesday to dissolve the party's Požega Town Committee after Darko Puljašić resigned as head of the Town Committee and as deputy head of the party's County Committee. An 11-member commission of the HDZ's Požega Town Committee was appointed to choose a new commissioner among themselves.
Croatia's Coronavirus Update: 776 News Cases, 27 Deaths, 724 Recoveries
ZAGREB, 21 January 2021 - In the last 24 hours, 5,735 persons have been tested for coronavirus in Croatia, and of them 776 have turned out to be positive, that is 13.5%, the national coronavirus crisis management team stated on Thursday morning.
In the last 24 hours, there have been 27 deaths linked to COVID-19, and Croatia's death toll stands now at 4,738.
Also, there are now 3,506 active cases in the country, and of them, 1,562 are receiving hospital treatment, including 136 patients placed on ventilators.
Since the outbreak of the infection in Croatia on 25 February, nearly 1.14 million tests have been conducted for this novel virus, and 227,326 people have tested positive.
Of them, 219,082 have recovered to date, including 724 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
Currently, 15,702 persons are self-isolating.
FM Calls on MPs to Endorse Amendment So EEZ Resolution Can Enter into Force on 1 Feb
ZAGREB, 21 January 2021 - Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday called on members of the Croatian parliament to support the government-sponsored amendment to parliament's resolution on the declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Adriatic under which it would enter into force on 1 February.
"In that way we will create conditions for the declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone to which Croatia is fully entitled under international law," Grlić Radman said in parliament.
On 18 December 2020, parliament endorsed the proposal to declare an EEZ in the Adriatic Sea, mandating the government to support stronger cooperation between Croatia, Italy and Slovenia at a trilateral meeting in January this year following the announcement by Italy that it would declare an EEZ in the Adriatic in 2021.
On 14 January this year, the government submitted an amendment specifying that the Croatian parliament resolution would enter into force on 1 February.
The trilateral meeting took place in Trieste on 19 December, when a joint statement was adopted reaffirming the vision of the Adriatic Sea as a bridge that unites all the nations in the region and as a source of wealth and prosperity for all.
The first trilateral meeting at expert level is scheduled for 29 January this year and will be held by video conference. It will prepare the ground for a ministerial meting in March, Grlić Radman said.
Booking.com 2021 Traveler Review Awards: Croatia 5th Most-Awarded Destination
January 21, 2021 - Croatia is the 5th most-awarded destination in the Booking.com 2021 Traveler Review Awards.
HRTurizam reports that Booking.com has announced that it will be handing out 1,147,344 Traveler Review Awards for 2021, giving recognition to partners from 220 countries based on millions of guest reviews.
In a year in which the travel sector has faced many unusual challenges, these awards recognize partners who offer accommodation and transport in 220 countries and territories.
In Croatia, 52,992 received Traveler Review Awards, which places the country among the top 5 most awarded countries in the world behind Italy (151,801), Spain (81,341), France (77,687), and Germany (63,829). Although the ranking cannot be viewed only through the number of awards, because the number of Booking partners in other countries is much higher, it is certainly clear that Croatia belongs to the top of international tourism, at least according to Booking.com.
"As less and less travel was done, each trip meant more to travelers than usual, and it became even more important to emphasize the outstanding service and hospitality shown by the Traveler Review Award winners in this extraordinary year," said Arjan Dijk, SVP and Marketing Director in booking.com and added: “In our mission to make it easier for everyone to explore the world, our partners play a critical role in providing amazing user experiences to travelers, and I know that with their perseverance, partnership and passion we can rebuild the travel sector and help even more travelers to rediscover our beautiful world over time."
Booking.com also revealed the key features of an excellent stay and the most hospitable places in Croatia.
Booking.com's Traveler Review Awards 2021 reveal data on passenger preferences in the past year and reveal that Croatian travelers value staff, cleanliness, and location the most when evaluating award-winning facilities on the platform because these three factors have the highest ratings among the categories rated by travelers after the stay.
These preferences are also in line with global trends, which show that staff with the highest-rated category are among the winners of the 2021 Traveler Review Award, followed by cleanliness and location. As users pay more attention to health and hygiene, the award winners had an average of 17% higher rating than the average rating for cleanliness in non-award winning facilities, which means that this is the main distinguishing factor for a better welcome. Another proof of the importance of the approach to tourists, which is crucial.
According to the reviews of travelers, the most hospitable places in Croatia are in Lika-Senj and Karlovac counties. At the top of the list, with the highest percentage of winners among the facilities that met the criteria, is Selište Drezničko, Karlovac County, followed by Grabovac, Karlovac County; Jezerce, Lika-Senj County; Korenica, Lika-Senj County; Slunj; Karlovac County, Smoljanac, Lika-Senj County; Otočac, Lika-Senj County; Skradin, Šibenik-Knin County and Karlovac, Karlovac County.
While hotels remain the second most awarded type of accommodation in the world for 2021, for the fourth year in a row, four of the five most awarded types of accommodation in the world are unique accommodation facilities: apartments (484,243), hotels (175,748), cottages (123,145), private accommodation (94,003), and bed and breakfasts (78,903).
The most awarded accommodation types in Croatia for 2021 include apartments, holiday homes, villas, and hotels. Bed and breakfasts, farm accommodation, country houses, lodgings, and private accommodation have made up most of the most hospitable accommodation types in the world, showing how interesting it is for travelers to stay in unique accommodation facilities. Interestingly, alternative accommodation facilities account for 30% of all new bookings in the third quarter of 2020 at the level of the entire platform.
A recent survey by Booking.com shows that almost half of Croatian passengers (51%) went by car in 2020 (which is above the world average of 24%) and that 29% of them traveled more within the country in 2020 compared to 2019, which is almost equal to the global average of 32%.
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Croats in NBA: Ivica Zubac Records His First Double-Double of Season
January 21, 2021 - 23-year-old Ivica Zubac records his first double-double of the season in the Los Angeles Clippers' win against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Ivica Zubac played the best game of the season in the LA Clippers' 115:96 victory against Sacramento on Wednesday.
The Croatian basketballer played 22 and a half minutes and achieved his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He hit four of five shots in play and all three free throws and even recorded one assist and one block.
“My teammates needed me, I jumped as I know how and tried to contribute in both directions,” Zubac said after the game.
He is no longer a starter this season and comes off the bench. Thus, even though his minutes are almost the same, it can be seen in his numbers because he is scoring 1.8 points and 2.6 rebounds less than last season.
"I accepted it as a challenge. I have to be ready from the first minute when I enter the game. It's different than when you're a starter, but we all have to adjust. I'm doing what I can to help the team," Zubac said modestly explaining the difference in approach between the two roles.
Teammate Paul George also praised the Croatian Clippers' player.
"Zu doesn't know how dominant he can be. You forget how young he is, he's still a baby... it is very rare you find bigs his size in the league today. That is one of the advantages he has. He has to own being the biggest guy on the floor."
Paul George on Ivica Zubac's 12 rebounds: "Zu doesn't know how dominant he can be. You forget how young he is, he's still a baby... it is very rare you find bigs his size in the league today. That is one of the advantages he has. He has to own being the biggest guy on the floor."
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) January 21, 2021
Kawhi Leonard was the Clippers' top scorer on Wednesday with 32 points, George scored 19 with 12 assists and seven rebounds, and De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 25 points.
Source: Index.hr
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