All measures from ERM II action plan implemented

The government on Thursday adopted the final report on the implementation of activities from the Action Plan for Croatia's Participation in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) for the period from July 2020 to March 2022, confirming that all nine measures in four areas had been implemented.

After it was admitted to the ERM II on 10 July 2020, the government undertook to implement a number of reforms through an action plan.

"These activities have been going on for several years and the government has been very consistent in accomplishing its objectives," PM Andrej Plenković said.

He recalled that the areas in which obligations were undertaken were strengthening of the framework for the prevention of money laundering, a cheaper and simpler business environment, better corporate governance of state-owned companies and strengthening bankruptcy legislation.

In all those areas the competent departments have implemented the necessary activities by the set deadline, which is today, 31 March, and we have adopted all necessary regulations and measures, said Plenković, noting that final decisions on Croatia's membership of the euro area were expected in June and July.

New law on land consolidation to cover 18,000 hectares

Improving the system for the restructuring of farmland and its consolidation is a reform measure under the 2021-2026 National Recovery and Resilience Plan and its implementation requires HRK 313 million, of which 80% is expected to come from EU funds and 20% from the state budget.

The funds will cover the consolidation of 18,000 hectares of farmland, Agriculture Minister Marija Vučković said.

"The law is a precondition for putting farmland to use, creating better economic foundations for the growth of agricultural production, enabling the use of neglected, fragmented farmland with an irregular shape, thus creating greater added value, improving municipal and other infrastructure, field paths and creating better conditions for life in rural areas," she said, noting that the consolidation of farmland would be conducted in line with a programme on which her ministry was working.

Under the bill, the ministry will design and operate an electronic land consolidation information system to include also a register of land consolidation.

Land consolidation proposals will be within the remit of local government units and if they fail to do so, the ministry will step in, she said.

Amendments to improve preschool education standards

The recommended amendments the government sent to parliament on Thursday are part of the education reform within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), with Science and Education Minister Radovan Fuchs saying the bill by no means revokes the National Pedagogical Standard.

In order to ensure that all children aged three to six can attend preschool education by 2030, it is necessary to secure additional capacities and infrastructure with an investment of HRK 1.6 billion from the NPOO, which should enhance the capacity of preschool institutions by 22,500 places.

The bill proposes a national network of children's kindergartens in an effort to improve planning regarding the construction and reconstruction of preschool institutions and to reduce the differences in development, thus enabling the inclusion of more children in early and preschool education.

The bill enables the possibility for elementary school teachers to be employed in kindergartens.

Having in mind regional differences, the bill envisages the possibility of funding from the state budget to complete investments for EU projects to build kindergartens in less developed areas.

It also provides for the possibility to secure funding to maintain the fiscal sustainability of kindergartens established by local government units based on criteria set by the government.

Final draft bill on the Croatian Science Foundation

In an effort to boost the research and innovation potential and implement programmes planned under the NPOO, the government sent a final draft bill on the Croatian Science Foundation to parliament.

The foundation was established with the aim of developing and promoting science and technological development by ensuring support to research of strategic interest for Croatia, however, the incumbent legislation is outdated, inflexible and does not correspond to the research demands in Croatia or Europe, Minister Fuchs explained.

"In an effort to increase the efficiency and functionality of investments in science projects and enable the implementation of programmes set by the NPOO, the bill defines only the framework to grant funds while the actual programmes will be defined by the Foundation's general acts," Fuchs added.

Amendments to two laws in consideration of Ukraine refugees

Ukrainians who have found refuge in Croatia will be eligible for healthcare and welfare benefits equal to those enjoyed by beneficiaries of mandatory health insurance and by asylum seekers and foreign nationals under subsidiary protection.

The proposal is included in amendments to the relevant legislation which were sent to parliament on Thursday.

The amendments are based on a EU Council decision of 4 March relating to a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine.

The decision introduced temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals who were resident in Ukraine and were displaced on or after 24 February as a consequence of Russia's military invasion.

The amendments to the law on mandatory health insurance and healthcare benefits for foreign nationals in Croatia provide that people under temporary protection are eligible for healthcare benefits equal to those enjoyed by beneficiaries of mandatory health insurance and by asylum seekers and foreign nationals under subsidiary protection.

The amendments to the Social Welfare Act make them eligible for welfare allowances and services equal to those enjoyed by foreign nationals under subsidiary protection and asylum seekers.

Under the present law, foreign nationals under subsidiary protection and asylum seekers have equal rights defined by the law whereas people under temporary protection are eligible for a one-off allowance or accommodation.

PM, defence minister remember Operation Plitvice

"This is an opportunity for us to once again remember and thank all Croatian defenders, soldiers, police officers and all those who gave their lives for freedom," Plenković said.

In a separate message on this occasion, Defence Minister Mario Banožić said: "We are proud of Josip Jović and all defenders, Croatian police officers and Croatian soldiers, who showed how to fight for the freedom of Croatia and all its people, regardless of the gravity of challenges and despite sacrifices."

Croatia on Thursday commemorated the 31th anniversary of Operation Plitvice and the death of Josip Jović, the first Croatian police officer to be killed by Serb insurgents at the start of the 1991-1995 Homeland War.

The operation was mounted after rebel Serbs set up a police station in Plitvice and the Croatian state leadership decided to restore constitutional order there.

Jović, 22, was killed and nine other police officers were wounded in that police operation after the Serb rebels occupied Plitvice Lakes National Park and blocked the D1 state road that connects the country's north and south. Jović was a member of the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit.

The operation was launched on the morning of 31 March 1991, Easter Sunday, and is also known as Bloody Easter.

According to police reports after the operation, 29 Serb extremists were arrested and 18 were charged with armed rebellion, including Goran Hadžić, a member of the main committee of the Serb Democratic Party, and Borivoje Savić, secretary of the executive committee of the party's Vukovar branch. Although the Croatian police regained control of the local police station, they had to withdraw later and the area remained under rebel control until August 1995 when Operation Storm crushed the Serb insurgency.

Jović has been posthumously promoted to the rank of major and decorated with high state medals.

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