Plenković: EU Will Try to Hammer Out Deal on Ties with UK in Next Months
ZAGREB, February 24, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who arrived in London on Sunday evening, said that in the next several months the European Union would try to reach agreement with Great Britain on the future relations, however, he admitted his scepticism about finding a compromise in such a short period of time.
"We in the European Union will try in the next ten months to reach a compromise with Great Britain, which could lay down the foundations for the first contractual relations, thus facilitating the business and trade exchange, and the rights of British citizens in the EU and the rights of EU citizens in Great Britain," Plenković said in the Croatian embassy in London where he met with Croatian citizens living in the U.K.
"Being the current chair of the Council of the European Union, Croatia will give its contribution," he underscored and recalled that the negotiations between the EU and some third country usually take some time.
If the negotiations (on future relations) are completed in the next ten months, this will be a precedent in the sense of efficiency, Plenković said.
The Croatian premier arrived in London to attend a meeting which the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) scheduled for Monday to discuss plans for investments for the Western Balkans.
The bank says on its website that "the aim of the summit is to highlight potential investment and business opportunities in the Western Balkans region and to promote regional projects." This is the fourth EBRD summit of its kind. The inaugural Western Balkans Summit took place at the EBRD in February 2014 and, for the first time, brought together all six of the region’s prime ministers.
The meeting will be opened by EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti and the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, in his current position as holder of the European Union presidency, the EBRD says on its website.
Plenković said in his address in the Croatian embassy in London that he and Finance Minister Zdravko Marić would meet potential investors to notify them of the macroeconomic state of affairs and the current Croatian cabinet's achievements in the financial and economic sector: including the restoration of the confidence of two international credit rating agencies in Croatia, the reduction of the country's public debt, a well-balanced budget, a sound growth, and more favourable interest rates for the enterprise sector and for citizens.
Commenting on the relations between Croatia and Great Britain following Brexit, Plenković said that his country would try to develop economic cooperation, and called on prominent Croats in the business sector, in scientific and artistic domains in the U.K. to give their contribution, too.
He praised them for being "an important part of the mosaic" in building the relations between the two countries.
During his stay in London, Plenković will also meet British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
More news about relations between Croatia and the UK can be found in the Politics section.
Croatian Capital in Color: Zagreb Festival of Lights Returns this March
February 24, 2020 - The Zagreb Festival of Lights will be held for the fourth time, from March 18-22, 2020.
The Zagreb Festival of Lights will hold its fourth edition this year, featuring a romantic display of light installations along the streets of the Upper Town, new locations, and exciting features.
The Zagreb Light Festival, which has won over Zagreb residents and visitors with colorful installations over the past three years, will be held this year from March 18 to 22, 2020.
The Festival of Lights is a radiant way to welcome spring in the Croatian capital and is an event that many locals and tourists mark on their calendars to ensure they don’t miss a beat.
Along with the projections, audiovisual installations and other events on the fronts of buildings, streets and green spaces of the historic Upper Town, this year will boast new locations, with a vibrant palette of colors, amenities and an always energetic atmosphere.
Four years ago, the Croatian capital joined a number of international cities such as Lyon, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Prague, St. Petersburg. Petersburg and Berlin.
The 3rd edition last year brought many attractive audiovisual installations and projections in 20 locations around the historical center of Zagreb.
“The festival was held for the first time in 2017 when it had only seven locations in the Upper Town. Already then, we were recognized by the international association of the Festival of Lights based in Berlin, and they put us in their programs. We are pleased to promote Zagreb as a city and Croatia as a country that has a respectable Festival of Lights,” stressed Martina Bienenfeld, director of the Tourist Board of Zagreb, last year.
A special feature of last year was that three installations came from China, which were used to celebrate 2019 as the year of tourism and culture between Croatia and the People's Republic of China.
The festival was also extended to last one day longer last year, totaling to four days. According to data from the Zagreb Tourist Board, 28% more arrivals and 44% more overnight stays were recorded during the 2018 Festival of Lights, as guests named the event as their exclusive motivation for visiting.
All information about the locations and this year's Festival program can be found on the official website of the Festival.
To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
HNL Round 23 Recap: Hajduk Shocks Gorica with 6:0 Victory at Poljud
February. 24, 2020 - The 23rd round of the Croatian First League was held from February 21 to 23, 2020. This round featured an unexpected Hajduk blowout against Gorica, while Rijeka topped Osijek in this weekend's derby.
Varazdin v. Lokomotiva (0:2)
Varazdin and Lokomotiv opened the 23rd round on Friday, February 21, 2020, in Varazdin in front of 1,787 fans.
Lokomotiva scored both goals in the first half thanks to Uzini (7’) and Karacic (38’).
Varazdin is currently in the last place with 15 points, while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 37.
Hajduk v. Gorica (6:0)
Hajduk and Gorica met on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Poljud stadium in front of 8,847 fans.
Hajduk’s scoring spree starting in the 10th minute when Krekovic scored for 1:0. Jairo increased their lead in the 35th for 2:0, and Caktas made it 3:0 six minutes before the half.
Caktas scored again for 4:0 in the 47th, and Jairo’s penalty made it 5:0 in the 56th. Eduok scored 8 minutes after being subbed in for the final score of 6:0.
Hajduk is currently in 2nd place with 44 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 31.
Rijeka v. Osijek (1:0)
Rijeka and Osijek met on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Rujevica stadium.
Gorgon scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute for the Rijeka lead. Osijek’s Skoric was given a red card in the final minute of regulation time, and the game ended 1:0.
Rijeka is currently in 3rd place with 41 points, while Osijek is in 4th with 38.
Dinamo v. Inter Zapresic (3:2)
Dinamo and Inter met on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at Maksimir stadium in front of 2,378 fans.
Dinamo’s Leovac scored in the 6th minute to make it 1:0, though Bosec equalized just before the half to make it 1:1.
Kadzior helped Dinamo retake the lead in the 60th minute for 2:1, and Orsic missed a penalty in the 68th to keep the game at that score.
Gavranovic made up for the miss in the 72nd minute for 3:1, though Andric gave Inter their second goal in the first minute of injury time for a final score of 3:2.
Dinamo is currently in first place with 56 points, while Inter is in 8th with 17.
Istra 1961 v. Slaven Belupo (1:1)
Istra and Belupo closed out the 23rd round on Sunday, February 23, 2020, in Pula in front of 830 fans.
Paez scored for the Istra lead in the 4th minute, though Krstanovic equalized in the 33rd minute for 1:1, which was the final score of the game.
Istra is currently in 9th place with 16 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 22.
You can see the full HNL table here.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
Croatian Telecom Working on First Private 5G Network in Croatia
Croatian Telecom (Hrvatski Telekom) has contracted with FER to build the first private mobile network in the Republic of Croatia based on 4G and 5G technologies - known as the Campus Network.
The announcement of the continental Croatian city of Osijek becoming the very first Croatian 5G city sparked debate about the potential issues of 5G as well as positive reactions from Eastern Croatia's increasing IT and tech community. Osijek is home to a bustling IT community for whom the introduction of the network will bring good things.
As Bernard Ivezic/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 23rd of February, 2020, after the capital city of Zagreb, Croatian Telecom (Hrvatski Telekom) plans to set up private 4G and 5G networks in Rijeka, Split and Osijek, while Deutsche Telekom operates similar projects in Austria and of course in Germany.
Deutsche Telekom already operates similar networks in Austria, the Czech Republic, its home country of Germany and Croatia's neighbour - Hungary, and Croatian Telecom will invest a massive two million kuna in the project.
Natasa Malic, Director of Access Networks at Croatian Telecom, says that similar projects are currently being planned in the cities of Rijeka, Split and Osijek and that the goal is to encourage the development of solutions in the fields of automation, robotics, edge and fog computing and other IT applications.
Jerko Dumanic, Marketing Director for Croatian Telecom Business Customers, says they are proud that they can lend a helping hand to both science and the economy. "Croatian Telecom is the largest private investor in STEM development, and we've confirmed this with the Campus Network," stated Dumanic.
Gordan Gledec, the Dean of FER, said that they are making a new leap forward with the move. "We're currently carrying out about 200 research projects and with this we're gaining new opportunities," concluded Gledec.
Make sure to follow our dedicated business page for more.
Successful Gastro Manifestation Krk Food Fest Continuing in 2020
Croatian food is as varied as it is rich. The country boasts some incredible culinary delights and the Krk Food Fest is another manifestation showcasing what the country, and more specifically the island of Krk has to offer cuisine-wise.
As Morski writes on the 23rd of February, 2020, the Krk Food Fest projects - the flavours of spring and the flavours of autumn - realised last year on the joint initiative of the Krk Island Tourist Board, all local tourist boards and the Gastronaut Club.
With the successful cooperation of island caterers with representatives of all local tourist boards, and with the support of Gastronaut, a significant step forward was made in understanding the island of Krk as an attractive gastronomic destination, which is one of the primary reasons for continuing with the Krk Food Fest this year, first with the upcoming culinary ''story'' about the flavours of spring.
The organisers of the Krk Foot Fest are therefore inviting all island caterers this year to participate in this initiative by the end of February by filling out an online application form, and to submit their respective thematic list of spring flavoured dishes for joint marketing purposes by mid-March. The dishes should be characteristic of the island of Krk and be submitted between the 1st to the 31st of May, 2020.
In addition to the invitation to participate in this project, an educational workshop for catering and hospitality managers and waiters was announced, which will be held on March the 10th this year at Hotel Jadran. Participation in the workshop must also be pre-registered via the online application form.
The traditional dishes of Croatia and the wider region are not only excellent ''bait'' for visitors wanting to try out new flavours, but also a connection to history and more specifically to the island of Krk's lifestyle through the rich culture on local tables.
Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.
Croatia Town Burns Gay Couple Effigy at Parade: Imotski Residents Cheer
February 23, 2020 - Bakova povorka, the pinnacle of a 150-year tradition of carnival festivities in Imotski, Croatia was engulfed by scandal on Sunday afternoon when enthusiastic residents set fire to an effigy of a gay couple to widespread cheers.
Adopted Child Had Yugoslav Star on Forehead
Imotski residents chose to feature a gay couple with an adopted child, which had a five-pointed star on his forehead (resembling that of the Yugoslav flag) for the central carnival figure. They eventually set that effigy on fire and burned it to the ground to the cheers of onlookers.
“Like it or not, but this is abnormal for us, but everyone has the right to be whatever they want,” they proclaimed to onlookers.
It’s also worth noting that the child doll, with the five-pointed star on his forehead and being held by the effigy of the gay couple, had the face of SDP (Social Democratic Party) MP Nenad Stazić. Earlier this year, it Stazić lent his support to same sex couples wishing to be foster parents. He also indicated that children were more at risk in the company of pedophile priests than under the care of openly gay foster parents. The effigy of the gay couple was followed by a group of children from the local kindergarten in the parade.
‘We are a conservative society’
"My head is spinning from this culture of death, and since my body is ailing, this year let’s set this grotesque family with baby Nenad Stazić on fire," the announcer proclaimed. Then, “Play the music" was heard as they ignited the effigy to wild cheers and applause.
When Slobodna Dalmacija asked Milivoj Đuka, president of the "Bako Ceremony Cultural Society" (KD Bakove svečanosti), for comment on February 23, 2020; he explained:
“We are a conservative society, and are sticking by tradition. Give a child to a mother, as the saying goes. We think this is the right thing to do,” Đuka claimed.
In an interview for Imotski Online on February 7, 2020; the festival's organizer had previously indicated that the main character of the parade would remain a secret.
"I can't reveal it to you. I can only say that everyone will understand who and what it is about," Đuka pointed out.
Milivoj Đuka | Facebook
According to a recent poll conducted by HRT (Croatia Radio Television); 63.7 percent of respondents are against allowing same-sex couples to be foster parents.
Croatia Parade Included Masks of Elvis Presley, Cleopatra, Josipa Lisac
Đuka made sure that there were as many masks as possible in the parade, all of which were made in homes throughout the town. Visitors also saw Nutcrackers, Cellists, Elvis Presley and his band, Flowers as well as individual masks of Cleopatra, and Pirates. In addition, there were homemade renderings of Croatia diva, Josipa Lisac, inspired by her performance at the inauguration of the new President.
The parade featured groups of children dressed like little lambs from the Kindergarten Ball, students from Imotski elementary schools, and many others.
Members of the HPO Gradske glazbe Imotski (HPO Imotski Town Music Group), performed cheerful carnival songs for more than a thousand Imotski residents and their guests.
The effigy of the gay couple is set on fire at 1:41:15 | Boško Ćosić Photography
UPDATE February 24, 2020: Croatian leaders and citizens condemn effigy burning. MP Arsen Bauk files charges against event organizers.
Follow our Lifestyle page for updates on this developing story. More information on the "Bako Ceremony Cultural Society" (KD Bakove svečanosti) can be found on their website here and Facebook here.
Prof. Dragan Primorac Re-Elected as Chair of AAFS Committee
February 23, 2020 - Professor Dragan Primorac was re-elected as the Chair of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences International Affairs Committee at the 2020 AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting held in Anaheim, California this week.
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences, headquartered in Colorado Springs, has over 7000 members from all 50 states from the US, Canada and 74 participating countries of the world. Forensic experts from the United States armed forces, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Justice, State Attorneys' offices, the FBI, DEA, as well as judges, lawyers, professors and scientists from the leading US institutions and universities are among the members of the Academy.
During this meeting, Jeri Ropero-Miller, PhD, chief scientist and forensic toxicologist at RTI International, has been elected as the 2020 president of the Academy.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that one of the largest scientific meetings in the world, the 12th ISABS Conference on Forensic and Anthropologic Genetics and Mayo Clinic Lectures in Individualized Medicine will be held in Dubrovnik between the 21st and 26th of June 2021. The organisers of the meeting will be the International Society for Applied Biological Sciences (ISABS), renowned American hospital "Mayo Clinic", American Academy of Forensic Sciences and prof. Primorac's St. Catherine Specialty Hospital.
Ever since it was established in 1997, the ISABS (International Society for Applied Biological Sciences) has been working on the promotion of the newest scientific discoveries in the fields of the forensic and anthropological genetics. Several of the Society's meetings have already been held in Croatia, and over 6000 scientists participated, with over 650 of them giving lectures, from over 70 countries in the world. Seven Nobel Prize winners were among the speakers at those conferences.
Traditional Croatian Ball Opens in Vienna
ZAGREB, February 23, 2020 - The traditional 29th Croatian Ball, organised by the Austrian Croatian Union for Culture and Sports, opened at Vienna's Arcotel Wimberger Hotel on Saturday evening.
The event brought together about 350 Croats from Vienna and throughout Austria, their guests from Croatia, Austrian friends and sponsors.
The head of the Austrian Croatian Union for Culture and Sports, Mate Ružić, said in his opening remarks that the ball had become a place for social interaction and entertainment for Croats and their guests in the Austrian capital.
Those present were also addressed by Croatiana Orešković of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, who said that the ball confirmed the unity of Croats in fostering their culture and customs.
This year's ball was held under the auspices of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, the Croatian Embassy in Austria and the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig.
Established in Vienna in 1990, the Austrian Croatian Union for Culture and Sports coordinates a dozen Croatian associations with more than 3,000 members and is one of the largest Croatian organisations in Austria.
More diaspora news can be found in the dedicated section.
60 Million Euro Granted for Self-Employment in 2019
ZAGREB, February 23, 2020 - Last year the Croatian Employment Bureau (HZZ) provided HRK 446 million (€60m) in aid for self-employment, benefiting 8,723 people.
Self-employment grants, financed by the state budget, the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative, are part of the HZZ's active employment policy measures. They are intended for starting sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, simple limited liability companies and cooperatives.
Between 2010 and 2019, a total of HRK 1.25 billion (€169m) was granted for promoting self-employment, covering 32,793 persons, the HZZ told Hina.
In 2019, grants were mostly awarded for professional, research and technical activities, construction, manufacturing, information and communications, and various services such as hairdressing, repair of computers and personal and household goods, and dry cleaning.
Last year the maximum amount payable for self-employment was HRK 70,000 (€9,500), plus an additional 15,000 (€2,000) for training or on-the-job training, while this year the maximum amount is HRK 100,000 (€13,500), plus an additional 10,000 (€1,350) for on-the-job training.
More economy news can be found in the Business section.
Naftalan Hospital One of Key Drivers of Health Tourism in Zagreb County
ZAGREB, February 23, 2020 - Zagreb County has significantly developed its tourist trade and infrastructure, and Naftalan, a special hospital for medical rehabilitation in Ivanić Grad, plays a marked role in that.
Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli, who visited the hospital recently, praised the development of medical tourism and Naftalan for efforts to upgrade its business. Cappelli said that medical tourism was one of the three strategic goals of the further development of Croatia's tourist trade.
This hospital in Ivanic Grad, some 40 kilometres southeast of Zagreb, is expanding its facilities through an investment project worth HRK 63.5 million (€8.5m) which includes the upgrade of the existing swimming pools and other amenities.
Naftalan, founded in 1989, successfully performs "treatments with the help of thermal saltwater and healing naftalan oil – which makes the hospital unique globally," according to the information available on the hospital's website.
"This mineral oil is included among natural health factors, and our experts developed a system of its use in baths – that is, naftalan therapy."
Naftalan is the only hospital in Europe and one of the few in the world to provide treatment for skin and inflammatory rheumatic diseases using a unique natural resource - naftalan mineral oil. Naftalan is a therapeutic mineral oil that is commercially used in medicine only in Azerbaijan and Ivanić Grad.
Combined with other modern therapies, naftalan efficiently treats psoriasis and diseases of the human musculoskeletal system, says the hospital.
More tourism news can be found in the Travel section.
