ZAGREB, February 25, 2020 - The taxpayers' association Lipa is against a ban on Sunday work because it would have a negative impact on the economy, the association's representatives said at a news conference on Tuesday, presenting Lipa's Competitiveness Barometer.

By presenting the Competitiveness Barometer the association wants to promote the process of adoption of decisions on economic policies in Croatia.

Lipa president Davor Huić said that Croatia's long-term growth potential was below one percent and that some of the reasons were the inefficiency of the public sector, high taxes, and a poor business climate.

"There is no strong focus on economic growth, many governments do not work on that at all," he said.

Huić noted that emigration would be stopped if Croatia were to reach 80% of the EU average standard of living.

"Croatia has been lagging behind EU member states that joined the bloc in 2005 for 15 years. We responded wrongly to the crisis in the period between 2009 and 2014. Other countries adapted to it much better. Our goal must be to reach 80% of the EU average standard of living by 2030. This and any future government will have to work for that to happen," he said.

While Croatia is at 60% of the average EU standard of living, countries that joined the EU in 2004 are at 75%, Huić said, noting that the country's economy growing at a rate of one percent would keep motivating people to emigrate and make Croatia a poor country.

One of the problems is that too few people work, he said.

A professor of political economy at the Zagreb Faculty of Political Science, Kristijan Kotarski, believes that restricting Sunday work would have a negative impact on Croatia's position in the global competitiveness ranking.

It could redirect consumption onto mostly foreign-owned online platforms, as well as cause a part of turnover to spill over to neighbouring countries, he said.

Kotarski also mentioned the significant impact of tourism and commerce on the national economy, noting that Croatia's economy was more dependent on commerce than other EU countries.

As for planned changes to the Commerce Act that would introduce restrictions on Sunday work and allow shops to work 8 to 12 Sundays a year, he said that they would only lead to confusion among domestic and foreign consumers.

He recalled that two bans on Sunday work had already been introduced but were abolished by the Constitutional Court as well as that Hungary in 2015 banned Sunday work, only to reintroduce it in 2016.

More business news can be found in the dedicated section.

ZAGREB, February 25, 2020 - The government's motion to relieve Dražen Jelenić of his duties as Chief State Prosecutor at his request will be on the parliament's agenda on Wednesday.

Jelenić submitted his resignation after he himself confirmed that he was a Freemason and accused doctor Nikica Gabrić of having tried to influence a preliminary investigation into three reporters who allegedly blackmailed the ophthalmologist, demanding that he give them HRK 200,000 or they would publish photographs of a ceremony of the Masonic lodge to which Gabric belongs. As soon as Jelenić made that statement, Gabrić dismissed it as false.

However, the exchange of accusations between the two and the fact that Jelenić failed to inform the government that he was a Freemason when he was nominated for the post of Chief State Prosecutor prompted the authorities and politicians to criticise Jelenić's behaviour.

After parliament dismisses Jelenić the State Prosecutorial Council will advertise a vacancy for that position and conduct the selection procedure for a new chief state attorney.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has said that the new chief state prosecutor's name would be known by mid-April.

Jelenić's deputy, Zlata Hrvoj Šipek, will be acting chief state attorney until a new one is selected.

According to legislation Jelenić could remain in the State Prosecutor’s Office (DORH) as a deputy to the chief state attorney however the opposition and some parties in the ruling coalition consider that to be contentious.

Parliament is expected to debate a total of nine bills this week and is expected to vote on about thirty bills that have been already been debated in parliament including a bill on the population census which was not put to the vote last Friday as ethnic minority MPs staged a walk-out when their amendments to the bill were not adopted.

Speaker Gordan Jandroković on Monday said that he expected an agreement with minority MPs to be reached in the next few days.

That task is being handled by Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) whip Branko Bačić and I expect that consultations will be held during the week and that we will continue ahead, Jandroković told reporters on Monday.

More politics news can be found in the dedicated section.

February 25, 2020 - On February 29, 2020, the Sinj Tourist Board will hold the educational tour “Tourist in Your Town”.

For the ninth year in a row, the Sinj Tourist Board is organizing the educational tour “Tourist in Your Town”. Namely, since 1990, on the initiative of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Association based in Vienna, February 21 has been marked as the International Day of Tourist Guides.

On this occasion, the Tourist Board invites all esteemed citizens and their guests to join them on Saturday, February 29, at 11 am, at the Alojzije Stepinac Promenade, from where you will visit the Franciscan Monastery Archeological Collection and the Sinjska Alka Museum, the Church of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj and the Kamičak Fortress, under the expert guidance of the members of the Sinj Osinium Tourist Guides Association (duration of the tour - 2 hours).

The aim of this free educational tour is to popularize the historical and cultural heritage as an essential factor for the development of tourism in Sinj, but also to raise awareness of its importance in the whole society.

Do not miss out on the chance to visit the Church of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, Kamičak fortress, as well as impressive exhibits of the Archaeological Collection of the Franciscan Monastery and the Sinjska Alka Museum.

Please confirm your arrival by telephone at 826 352 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February 25, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for new flights to Croatia with updates from Zagreb and Dubrovnik.

Avio Radar reports that Croatian national carrier and Star Alliance member Croatia Airlines will strengthen the Zagreb-Amsterdam route in 2020. Namely, in addition to morning flights, a second flight on Tuesdays will be introduced in the afternoon. A total of eight flights per week will be offered. The additional flight on Tuesdays will run from April 28 to September 29, 2020. An Airbus A320 and Airbus A319 aircraft will serve this line. 

The additional flight on Tuesdays is being introduced instead of the Dubrovnik-Pula-Amsterdam seasonal route, which will no longer be available. 

Furthermore, Avio Radar reports that German airline Condor has begun selling tickets for a new seasonal route from Germany to Croatia. Namely, the Hanover-Dubrovnik route will be in service once a week, from Saturday, May 30 to October 24, 2020. An Airbus aircraft has been announced for this line. 

This is the second Condor line from Germany to Dubrovnik in addition to the existing line from Frankfurt. Condor announced earlier that it would cancel the Hanover-Zadar route for this year. 

Last year, Eurowings flew from Hanover to Dubrovnik twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, though that line is no longer on offer. 

Ex Yu Aviation reports that Croatia Airlines has presented a plan for the near future. The national carrier will run three flights per week from Zagreb to Sofia and Podgorica this summer, as TCN already announced. 

“We are expanding our network of destinations to a total of forty cities in 26 counties. That is a respectable number for a small nation such as Croatia,” said CEO Jasmin Bajić. 

The new routes will not only help ‘point to point’ travelers but will improve loads on services to Western Europe by generating transfer traffic, Ex Yu Aviation said.

Furthermore, Croatia Airlines’ passenger numbers are up 1% thus far in 2020, though that could change with the spread of Coronavirus.

“It [virus] has had less of an impact on Croatia Airlines than other European carriers which are dealing with this major issue. Based on our advanced bookings for March, we do see a slump In demand compared to previous years. However, we are still not considerably affected”. 

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

As Index writes on the 25th of February, 2020, one case of coronavirus in Croatia has now been confirmed.

The individual in question is a younger man who is currently staying at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Zagreb, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic confirmed.

He said that the young man is in good shape.

''We have our first patient in whom coronavirus is confirmed. He is a younger man, he has a milder form of the illness. He is in isolatation and his condition is good. He's located at the Fran Mihaljevic Hospital for Infectious Disease in Zagreb,'' Plenkovic stated.

"We got the results today at 11:30 for a Croatian citizen who was staying in Milan between February the 19th and the 21st," Health Minister Beros said.

He added that he would now focus on the contacts the individual in question had.

The director of KBC Rijeka is still expected to report on the condition of the nine Croats who were hospitalised after returning from Italy.

For more on coronavirus in Croatia as well as rolling updates as they come in, follow this page.

There has been a lot of talk about a potential ban on Croatian shops operating on Sundays, generating a divide on the issue with many feeling like closing shop doors on Sundays would only lead to economic decline. Others claim those working in Croatian shops on Sundays should be given more money to do so.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 25th of February, 2020, instead of a complete ban on Croatian shops doing business on Sundays, 12, 13 or 15 working Sundays are more likely to be introduced throughout the year, Vecernji list writes, stating that the issues of Croatian shops working on Sundays generated more talk than the HDZ Government, led by Prime Minister Andrei Plenkovic, initially thought.

For most of last year, Economy Minister Darko Horvat had been trying to reach a consensus among social partners, and he has also announced the official start of a public debate on the proposal.

As things stand now, however, Croatia would not go as far as introducting a total ban on Croatian shops operating on Sundays, but would allow chain and store owners to designate 12, 14 or 15 Sundays in a year.

In the tourist areas of the country, working Sundays would definitely be those during the summer, while in the continental part of the country, they would be concentrated during the end of the year and possibly during periods of high seasonal sales. In any case, Croatian shops operating on Sundays will more than likely continue to be a hot political topic.

HDZ's minority partners, the Croatian People's Party and the Liberal Party are opposed to the bans, the SDP is just about to state its position.

The trade sector employs more than 200,000 people, of whom about 135,000 work in Croatian shops. The potential ban on Sunday operations mostly affects women because they dominate this particular industry. Although the talk of a new regulation on work on Sundays was born from politics, it has in some ways been fueled by employers who are finding it harder and harder to obtain workers.

Make sure to follow our dedicated politics page for much more.

February 25, 2020 - How seriously is Croatia taking the coronavirus threat? An alarming account from a recent air passenger from Shanghai to Seoul to Zagreb. 

I don't believe in doing clickbait articles, especially when the topic is a negative one. I also don't believe in scaremongering, and I am aware that our portal is widely read internationally and used by many as the source of news about Croatia. It is one of the reasons we have a focus on positivity and constructive criticism. Of course, this being Croatia, one cannot be positive all the time, given the absurd nature of life in this beautiful country. But we also have a duty to report and inform on important matters. 

There are - at time of writing -still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Croatia, thankfully. On the streets of Zagreb yesterday, I counted three masked pedestrians all day, and so while the topic is close by (all the more so with 7 deaths in Italy at a time when many Croats were in Italy for the cancelled Venice carnival), it is still a topic which is joked about a lot in the cafes - a problem elsewhere that is not affecting Croatia. 

And then I read a Facebook post from a friend who had recently returned to Croatia from China, flying into Zagreb from Seoul via Doha, having started from Shanghai. She posted at her shock at the lack of any controls or registering of passengers on arrival, and the lack of checking of passengers' travel history. As a responsible citizen, she declared that she had been in China and submitted herself to an examination to a doctor at the airport (who wore neither mask nor gloves). She was the only passenger to do so. All the other passengers melted away into the Croatian capital and beyond. Unchecked and untraced. I contacted her for more information about her time in China and South Korea and the return to Croatia. We communicated online, for she is sat at home away from people. Just in case. 

She flew to China for a holiday in January and was due to return in early February, but as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus, all flights were cancelled at the end of January. 

Daily life in China changed very quickly as the central and local government adapted to the new situation. She had clear instructions from local authorities regarding things she could and could not do anymore. She told me that it is very important to note the role of the community and taking care of others in Chinese culture. It is different from the European way, and Chinese people always think about their community and country. They have the ancient philosophy in their blood

For the first few days, there was a little confusion but no panic, although it t is true that masks, detergents, all products for disinfection were quickly gone from the shelves. The authorities ordered people to register for masks and she received hers after a few days. People had to register close to their house or even at the entrance to avoid crowds. Afterwards, they got a message when and where to pick up the masks for the family.

"It is important to say that these masks prevent the spread of the virus from a sick person but they do not protect so much if you have a mask but the person next to you is coughing and sneezing but does not wear a mask. Since this virus could be asymptomatic for a long time and we are not aware of how long, it is important to wear masks to protect other people.  It is something people in Europe cannot understand. They laugh at you, because they think you are crazy and in panic mode.

"I saw that in Zagreb on arrival.

"But back to China: Immediately after the epidemic started, all museums, theatres, parks, cinemas etc were closed. All Lunar New Year parties and celebrations were cancelled. All company dinners were cancelled. People were told to wear masks everywhere they went. It was impossible to enter the bus, metro, public places without a mask. Temperatures were taken in front of supermarkets, shopping malls, hotels. Railway stations and metros had thermo cameras to screen all passengers and if someone had a temperature higher than 37.3, they were isolated. Very quickly it became punishable by law if you did not wear a mask. They use facial recognition technology to send a fine to the person who breaks the rules. There are even drones which spot people without masks which a message to put the mask on or go inside immediately. There were also several applications to track the spread of coronavirus. 

"In the first few days, food prices in shops went up very quickly. It was reported to the Communist Party and very quickly the shops with this practice were fined or closed, and prices came back to normal. This all happened at the busiest travel time of the year - the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, when the whole country is on the road.

"Shanghai is usually empty during New Year as most of its residents return to their villages and towns. Shanghai was very afraid of the mass return of millions of people - the city has 25 mln people. That is why they announced that schools, kindergartens, universities would remain closed until further notice. Companies could not start work before February 9, and those who could work from home were prohibited from coming back to the office.

"Shanghai decided to go on lockdown to stop the virus. It means that till now anyone without permanent stay in Shanghai could not come back to the city. Airports, railway stations, highways were checking everybody who came back to the city. From 51 highway entrances to Shanghai, only 13 remained open so they could scan everybody and could measure the temperature of everybody. Everybody who comes back to the city HAS TO stay 14 days in home quarantine if  there are no symptoms. Those with symptoms were immediately transferred to hospitals or quarantine units.

"FOR FOREIGNERS: We had an emergency number to call 24h if we had any questions regarding the virus. It was also an emergency number for people who did not feel well and had mental problems due to the situations or could not cope with all restrictions. It was also the number for help to children and animals who due to quarantined owners were left alone at home. We got also a new "passport" to enter our accommodation. Nobody else could enter the building. ONLY PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE. NO FRIENDS ALLOWED. NO VISITS.

"Every time our temperature was taken on our way in and out. They even sent people door to door to enter every apartment to check how everybody is. If somebody looked sick, there were immediately taken to hospital.

"BUILDINGS: public buildings were disinfected a few times per day. Ours was disinfected twice a day with special attention paid to the elevator: buttons covered with plastic and disinfected with chlorine twice a day. Hand cleaning facilities were everywhere. Restaurants were completely closed with the lockdown. Only those who could serve take away food could work. People could not enter inside. Everybody needed to wait outside to avoid closed spaces. 

"I am amazed at how well the Chinese dealt with this unprecedented situation. Their crisis management skills are to be studied in the future. I guess it is easier due to the system they have in the country which looks like the best system ever in times of crisis like this. I was very saddened by the opinions of people who tried to put the blame on the Chinese people, their culture and way of life. Most of those people I guess have never been to China

"I do not want to criticise Croatia or the European Union at this time, but I hope this can help a little to understand how serious the situation is and that we must act quickly and coordinate all forces. I only hope there will be enough money transferred to this cause. We should be grateful to China for what they did regarding the quarantine of 750 mln people. It could be already rampant all around the world if they did not.

"I can add that I arrived in Zagreb via Seoul and Doha. In Seoul: there is a special section of the airport for people arriving from China. Everybody is checked first by thermal camera and if they pass that point, they go to quarantine officers for interview. You have to give your passport, address, mobile phone and they check immediately if it is correct. They call you immediately. If the number is wrong you pay a fine and risk quarantine for 14 days. Then you have to download an application which sends you messages for 14 days. You have to fill out a questionnaire every day: temperature, cough, sore throat etc. After this, you receive a certificate and you may go to immigration. Even before you board the plane you have to fill out a health declaration.

"Things are very different flying into Zagreb. Since there are no direct flights with China, nobody really checks. I declared myself that I was in China and gave my data to the police and doctor. I feel that more should be done. I was very surprised to see that the doctor at Zagreb airport did not even have a mask or gloves. This is not expensive and should be a minimum. After my experience of everyone being masked in China, I was a little afraid I may catch something from the doctor... 

"Many people from Croatia have visited China and come back recently and if you do not tell the police and gave them your ID instead of passport it looks like you may pass. It is hard to believe but it looks like that. 

"Since I have declared my stay in China I have to call the doctor every day and report my health. That is all.

"I kept my mask on, but the other 10 or so people just took off their masks before leaving the plane. I went home and am staying at home. I do not want to criticise, but I was VERY surprised at the lack of control in Zagreb when I came back from Asia, especially after all the hard work which has been done in China and South Korea. It makes us look somewhat ignorant. Although they are much bigger countries, they also have the money, knowledge and mentality to beat coronavirus. Sadly I do not see it here."

A fascinating account. I had one last question. 

With the coronavirus threat, do you feel safer in China or Croatia? 

"I felt much safer in China."

To follow the latest on the threat of coronavirus in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

The Croatian Government announced new measures to combat the virus on February 24.

ZAGREB, February 25, 2020 - Croatia and Great Britain wish to continue strengthening mutual relations and to increase trade as well as strengthen cooperation in the area of security and defence, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said after meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London on Monday.

"We agreed to continue strengthening relations in the economic sense, to increase the volume of trade and cooperation in the field of culture, and to strengthen cooperation in the area of defence and security because we continue to be partners and allies within NATO," Plenković told reporters in London.

This was the first meeting between the two prime ministers since Great Britain exited the European Union on January 31.

Plenković invited Johnson to visit Croatia and he "who accepted the invitation with pleasure and now we just need to define a time."

In addition to bilateral relations, the two prime ministers discussed future relations between the EU and the United Kingdom.

Plenković said that during Croatia's presidency of the Council of the EU, a mandate for negotiations will be determined and that the EU's main negotiator will be Michel Barnier.

"Croatia's position is very clear. We wish the continuation of contractual, regulated relations, from the economy and trade to the foreign policy, security and defence," said Plenković.

"It would be good that, in that way, we secure predictability for enterprises and for citizens' rights. We are prepared for all scenarios, even if an agreement on contractual relations is not reached. As far as trade relations are concerned, they would be conducted based on the World Trade Organisation's rules, and as far as citizens' rights are concerned, we have adopted the relevant laws that regulate the status of a little more than 650 British citizens in Croatia, and we are also taking account of the ten thousand of our citizens who live in the United Kingdom," added Plenković.

Before meeting with Prime Minister Johnson, Plenković attended a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development investment summit for the Western Balkans.

"It is very important for the Croatian public to recognise that we have put our southeast neighbourhood high on the agenda of EU institutions," Plenković said, noting that now several member states are organising meetings with representatives of the six Western Balkan countries that will be held ahead of the Zagreb Summit in May.

"At the Zagreb summit we wish to adopt a new political narrative on the enlargement policy and the European prospects of our neighbouring countries for the next decade. Then for the European Commission to prepare an investment package that will enable economic development in those countries so we can see how they can be included in the Green Deal policy proposed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. We also want those meetings to become regular after the Zagreb Summit, about every second year and not 15 years as was the case until recently," added Plenković.

He also underscored that he believes that a decision on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania will be adopted before the Zagreb Summit.

"They are representatives of various investors who manage funds, who are familiar with Croatia and have previously reacted positively whenever Croatia issued sovereign bonds. During our term in office we have achieved a big step forward. We have a healthy and continuous growth of GDP. We are heading toward a balanced budget. We have been given investment rating by two rating agencies. Investors are interested in structural reforms, key priorities until the end of our term in government and plans for the future," said Plenković.

Asked about the situation with the coronavirus, he said that Croatia was acting very responsibly on the national plane and as the presiding country of the Council of the EU.

"We are exchanging information and following the developments in Italy. We will enhance preventative measures and checks and attempt to do everything in our power to protect Croatian citizens from the possible spreading of this epidemic, in agreement with Italy and other EU member states. All the institutions in Croatia that need to be, are engaged in this matter," concluded Plenković.

More news about relations between Croatia and the UK can be found in the Politics section.