Politics

ZAGREB, Dec 31, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday that the post-earthquake reconstruction of Sisak-Moslavina County would most probably be covered by the law on the reconstruction of buildings in the City of Zagreb, Zagreb County and Krapina-Zagorje County that were damaged by the March 22 earthquake. Speaking to the press after a meeting of the national council for the adoption of the euro, Plenkovic said that the law on the reconstruction of Zagreb and the two adjacent counties was a good basis for the reconstruction of Sisak-Moslavina County, which was struck by a string of devastating earthquakes…

ZAGREB, Dec 31, 2020 - The Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Serb Orthodox Church on Wednesday announced they would help those affected by a 6.2 earthquake in Croatia, calling on their members to sympathise with their neighbours in Croatia. The leader of the Islamic Community, Husein Kavazovic, recalled how much Croatia helped BiH during the 1990s war. "We can't help but remember the generosity of our Croatian neighbours who, during the aggression on BiH, welcomed and supported us and showed understanding for what we were going through," he said in a letter to Croatian Ambassador to BiH Ivan Sabolic. "Now…

December 31, 2020 – After visiting schools in Sisak-Moslavina County on Wednesday, Science and Education Minister Radovan Fuchs estimated that some schools would have to be rebuilt. Besides, as Hina reports, minister Fuchs said that some schools would be able to be restored. "The situation in schools is bad. In Petrinja, some schools will have to be completely demolished, and some will be rebuilt. I don't know how fast schools will be rebuilt. A good part will have to be built anew," said the Minister. More schools require complete construction In the Sisak-Moslavina County, there are 53 schools (37 primary,…

ZAGREB, Dec 28, 2020 - Croatian and Israeli foreign ministers Gordan Grlic Radman and Gabi Ashkenazi respectively have signed a memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership between the two ministries, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs announced in a press release on Monday. The signing of the document was agreed to during Grlic Radman's official visit to Israel in September. "I consider the memorandum to be an important step forward in cooperation between Croatia and Israel. I am convinced that the strategic partnership between our two countries will bring many benefits to both states and our citizens," said Grlic Radman. According to the memorandum, the…

ZAGREB, Dec 28, 2020 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday expressed readiness to help Croatia and told it to stay strong after three strong earthquakes rocked the country this morning. "Stay strong Croatia! After a powerful earthquake struck this morning, the EU_Commission is in contact with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and the Croatian authorities. We are following the situation closely and stand ready to help," she tweeted. Plenkovic thanked von der Leyen and the Commission, saying that Croatia appreciated their support. "It will be vital as we work to rebuild Sisak, Petrinja and the Sisak-Moslavina County, just as we also cooperate on reconstructing Zagreb…

ZAGREB, Dec 28, 2020 - The Ministry of Agriculture on Monday appealed to citizens to try and reduce the amount of food thrown out during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The festive season is a time of giving and plenty when we prepare and consume a great amount of food and drink, the ministry underscored, noting that rarely do people eat everything they bought and prepared. Surveys have shown that about 53%, or even up to 70% according to some surveys, of food thrown out comes from households, the ministry said in a press release. The ministry hence recalled that it had launched a series…

ZAGREB, Dec 27, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Sunday that he was sure that a vast majority of Croatians would be inoculated against coronavirus in the next months, reiterating that first 9,750 doses of COVID-19 vaccine would be administered to citizens at the highest risk and front-line professionals. "I and my Cabinet are very happy that the vaccine rollout has started in Croatia. We have made the vaccination plan which the government adopted. The plan was prepared by the Croatian Institute of Public Health, to roll out vaccines throughout all the counties," the premier said after the first person in…

ZAGREB, Dec 27, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in a Twitter post on Saturday that the arrival of the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine gave rise to the hope that life would return to normal during 2021. "The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Croatia this morning. The main priority is protection of the most vulnerable and most exposed groups - the elderly and infirm and medical workers and employees of welfare institutions. The arrival of the vaccine is an encouraging message that gives rise to the hope that life will return to normal in 2021," Plenkovic…

ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros said on Monday that the COVID crisis had so far cost the health system HRK 927.4 million. Data show that by December 18, HRK 574.4 million was spent on testing, HRK 268.9 million on treatment and more than HRK 83 million on sick leaves, Beros said at the national COVID-19 crisis management team's press conference. He also said that a meeting was being held at the Health Ministry with drug wholesalers regarding the health system's debt to them. Beros said that the number of new COVID-19 infections had started dropping. The…

ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - The head of the national COVID response team, Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic on Monday said that the government had agreed with Orthodox Church dignitaries that if required, special epidemiological instructions for Orthodox Christmas would be defined in the first week of January. "As far as Orthodox Christmas is concerned... government representatives contacted Orthodox Church dignitaries and it was agreed that if required, special instructions will be defined in the first week of January, depending on epidemiological developments and the specificities of Orthodox liturgy," Bozinovic said. He said that by 10 am 1,120 calls, 5,600 e-mails and a total of 10,848 applications…