ZAGREB, 25 Feb 2022 - The Croatian parliament on Friday adopted the Declaration on Ukraine, with 133 votes for and one abstention, which condemns in the strongest terms Russia's unprovoked aggression on Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

The abstaining MP was Katarina Peović of the opposition Workers' Front.

The vote was watched from the gallery by Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Kyrylych. MPs applauded the adoption of the Declaration.

Before the vote, Speaker Gordan Jandroković reiterated on the behalf of all MPs that Croatia is with the Ukrainian people in these difficult moments.

In the Declaration, the Croatian parliament calls on Russia to immediately cease the attack and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.

The Sabor condemns the recognition of the self-proclaimed regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, because that act represents a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and subverts the foundations of the international order.

The Sabor extends full support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders, which is the fundamental point of reference in the relations and cooperation between Croatia and Ukraine.

The Sabor extends full solidarity with Ukraine and its people, and calls on the Croatian government to provide humanitarian and technical assistance to Ukraine in this difficult moment for them and all of the peace-loving world.

According to the Declaration, the Croatian parliament underlines that in the context of the security situation in eastern Europe, the key for keeping the peace and stability in the region lies in maintaining dialogue between all relevant international actors, in defusing tensions and the aggressive rhetoric, and in respecting the international legal order and inviolability of international borders.

The ten-point Declaration also says the Sabor is firmly confident that a secure, stable and prosperous Ukraine is in the strategic interest of all citizens of Ukraine, the EU, the whole European continent, world peace and the international order.

ZAGREB, 25 Feb 2022 - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković on Friday voiced concerns over the latest developments in Ukraine and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian nation.

"We denounce the Russian aggression on Ukraine and we hope that the hostilities will stop and that human lives will be saved," Jandroković said before the parliamentary debate on Croatia's declaration on Ukraine, drawn up by the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs.

"All of us are following the developments in Ukraine with disbelief, anxiety and concern," the parliament's chief said.

The Russian aggression has violated all the tenets of the international order and law, he added.

"We must take into account Croatia's interests, and also being a country that experienced the Serbian aggression, we convey our solidarity with the victims and we will help them as much as we can and thus contribute to efforts to bring this sad episode to an end," Jandroković said.

On Thursday, the foreign affairs committee unanimously adopted the declaration on Ukraine.

The declaration states that the Croatian parliament calls on Russia to immediately stop the military attack and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.

The parliament also condemns the recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent entities because that act represents a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and undermines the foundations of the international order.

The document gives full support to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The parliament expresses full solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and calls on the Croatian government to provide humanitarian and technical assistance.

ZAGREB, 24 Feb 2022 - Caritas Croatia said on Thursday it had launched a humanitarian drive to collect relief for Ukraine after Caritas Ukraine's emergency call for help via the Caritas Internationalist solidarity network.

National members of Caritas Europa are in daily contact with Caritas Ukraine, following the situation and developing relief plans.

Today Caritas Croatia representatives took part in a Caritas Europa virtual meeting. In the next 24 hours, Caritas Europa members will say how much material support in kind is available to meet Caritas Ukraine's needs.

Emphasis is on equipment used in crisis situations caused by war, Caritas Croatia said.

It will carry out psychosocial assistance projects and organize summer holidays for children from east Ukraine as well as raise money.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 24 Feb 2022 - The Croatian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday unanimously adopted a declaration on Ukraine strongly condemning Russia's unprovoked aggression on its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

The declaration states that the Croatian parliament calls on Russia to immediately stop the military attack and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.

The parliament also condemns the recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent entities because that act represents a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and undermines the foundations of the international order.

It is also said that it gives full support to the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

The parliament expresses full solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and calls on the Croatian government to provide humanitarian and technical assistance.

Committee President Gari Cappelli said they were also aware of the economic consequences the conflict would have on the Croatian economy, especially on tourism since many Ukrainian people spend their summer holidays in Croatia, which could cost the budget €350 million.

Unofficially, Croatia will accept several thousands of refugees from Ukraine.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 24 Feb 2022 - Croatian Tourism Association director Veljko Ostojić said on Thursday that after two years of the pandemic, the latest events in Ukraine brought another period of insecurity and uncertainty.

Any war situation, regardless of the vicinity, deters from travel, he told Hina, adding that at the moment it is impossible to predict how the Russia-Ukraine crisis will impact Croatia's tourism.

He said one could expect bookings on the main markets to slow down in the days ahead, but is confident in last-minute bookings as in the last two years.

Croatia's big advantage is that it's predominantly an auto destination and very safe, which will be important in preparing for the summer season, Ostojić said.

The Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ), which has an office in Moscow covering Ukraine as well, told Hina that next week more would be known about the impact of Russia's attack on Ukraine on travel from the two countries. The Tourism Ministry concurred.

According to HTZ data, 145,000 Russians visited Croatia in 2021, generating 800,000 nights, respectively 94% and 80% of the figures registered in 2019, a record year for Croatia's tourism.

Ukrainians generated 146,000 arrivals and 857,000 nights, respectively 4% and 2% more than in 2019.

This year to date 2,000 Ukrainians visited Croatia, generating 12,000 nights, up 47% and 53% on the year respectively.

 For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 24 Feb 2022 - Economy Minister Tomislav Ćorić said on Thursday Croatia's supply with key energy sources was not in question despite the escalation of the Ukraine crisis and that if prices continued to increase over a longer period of time, the government would consider how to respond.

Speaking to the press after a cabinet session, Ćorić said the supply with gas and oil "has not been brought into question at all" at the moment and that "everything will be under control."

"We hope the war operations will cease and things be brought in order, " he added. "That's what we want for Europe and the world, and first and foremost for the Ukrainian people."

As for the economic situation, Ćorić said it would depend on the energy market. The gas price on the reference market has gone up 31% since yesterday and that of a barrel of Brent oil by 6%, he said.

The minister said those rises "will definitely" impact consumer goods. "However, that is something on which we can't have significant influence at the moment."

He hopes the Ukraine-Russia escalation, and consequently the escalation of energy prices, will be short-lived. The government's measures to buffer the blow of energy price hikes take effect on 1 April.

Asked what sanctions Croatia would impose on Russia and what that would mean for Croatia's economy, exporters and tourism, Ćorić said Croatia would follow other EU member states.

The economic consequences of the crisis will be proportionate to its duration, he said, adding that one could not expect the European and Croatian economies to function normally if the "horrors of war" continued.

Energy prices, which largely depend on Russia's aggression on Ukraine, "dictate the tempo on all other markets" and Croatia, as a small and open economy, can't avoid that, Ćorić said.

As for the Fortenova company, one of whose owners is Russia's Sberbank, he said it had a number of owners, that it used international markets for financing, and that he did not expect any sanctions against the financial sector to affect the company's liquidity and functioning.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 24 Feb 2022 - Croatia will support the sanctions against Russia and is ready to provide Ukraine with humanitarian and technical assistance, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Twitter on Thursday, calling on Russia to halt its military operations.

"We will support the sanctions package and are ready to provide humanitarian and technical assistance to Ukraine," the Croatian PM wrote, calling on Russia to immediately stop its military operations that put innocent people in danger.

Plenković met with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Kyrylych on Thursday morning, saying that "the Croatian government condemns in the strongest terms Russia's invasion and aggression on Ukraine."

"This is a direct attack on democracy, international law, and Ukraine's sovereignty," he added.

The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs tweeted that it was following the situation in Ukraine and exchanging information with other countries.

The Croatian Embassy in Ukraine is in contact with Croatian nationals and stands at their service for any consular and other assistance, the Ministry said.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 24 Feb 2022 - In the wake of Russia's military attack on Ukraine on Thursday morning, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine, saying he hoped military operations would be halted and that the Sabor would issue a declaration in that regard.

"I ask you to show solidarity. We are a country that experienced a similar situation in our recent past. We suffered huge casualties and property damage. We express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and believe and hope that military operations will be stopped," Jandroković said in the Sabor.

He called on the Foreign Affairs Committee to present the plenary with a declaration that will clearly support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and harshly condemn Russia's military invasion and aggression.

"I call on the Committee Chairman Gari Capelli and Committee members to urgently propose a declaration that will call for an immediate cessation of military operations in an effort to prevent great casualties and property damage," said Jandroković.

He recalled that on 22 February the Committee adopted a unanimous conclusion expressing concern over the situation in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognized borders and a peaceful settlement of disputes.

Secure and stable Ukraine in Europe's strategic interest

The Committee expresses its firm belief that a secure, stable, and prosperous Ukraine is in the interest of the entire European continent, and condemns the violation of international law by the Russian Federation.

The Committee will continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and based on it will once again discuss the situation in Ukraine and its immediate surroundings, Jandroković read out the Committee's conclusions to MPs.

He called on lawmakers to be responsible and aware of what is happening and of the possible consequences which "might be inconceivable."

"I call on everyone to be very cautious, to follow what is happening and to be responsible to our duties and obligations," underscored Jandroković who met with the government prior to the Sabor sitting, in reference to the latest developments in Ukraine.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 24 Feb 2022 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling on Moscow to stop the military attack immediately.

"We strongly condemn Russia's aggression and invasion of Ukraine. This unprovoked attack is a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and international law," Plenković wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday morning.

"This is exclusively the responsibility of Russia, which we call upon to immediately stop this military attack."

"We express our solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," the Croatian prime minister said.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 22 Feb 2022 - EU general affairs ministers began in Brussels on Tuesday to prepare the agenda of the next EU summit due in March, and Croatia has requested that the summit discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Croatia has pointed out that it would like to see a European Council debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina," said the state secretary at the Foreign Ministry, Andreja Metelko Zgombić.

She said the dangerous Ukraine situation should not overshadow the situation in BiH, which is at a key moment of talks on electoral reform aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination in the election process and ensuring the right of the constituent peoples to elect their representatives.

EU foreign ministers have discussed the Ukraine situation, which will be on the agenda of the spring summit on 24 and 25 March.

"I reiterated on Croatia's behalf the condemnation of Russia's recognition of two Ukrainian regions outside government control and supported the prompt adoption of a set of sanctions," said Metelko Zgombić.

EU foreign ministers are discussing sanctions against Russia at an extraordinary meeting in Paris.

Before it started, Croatian Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman condemned Russia's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"We call on Russia to revoke the recognition and to return to Normandy Format talks. I'd like to reiterate Croatia's full support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," he said.