Govt presents Croatia's EU admission celebration plans

The Croatian government on Friday outlined a programme for celebrations, to be held at the weekend before Croatia's entry into the European Union, set for 1 July.

The government has invited around 120 foreign officials for events scheduled for June 30 in the celebrations of Croatia's accession to the European Union, the government announced on Friday without naming which guests have accepted the invitation.

We've invited the heads of state of EU countries and our neighbours, the head of the organisation committee Tomislav Saucha told a news conference.

On Sunday, June 30 the celebrations will be conducted in Zagreb's main square, Trg bana Jelacica, with foreign officials attending and just before midnight the audience will be welcomed by Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic. After midnight President Ivo Josipovic will address the audience.

The same day the customs sign at the Bregana border crossing will be taken down symbolically and a new EU sign will be unveiled at the Bajakovo border crossing. Cities and diplomatic-consular offices will be organising their own individual celebrations.

On Monday, July 1, Croatia's and Slovenia's interior ministers Ranko Ostojic and Gregor Virant will launch the work of the 'one stop control' at the Pasjak border crossing which means that Croatian and Slovenian police will conduct joint checks of people crossing the border.

The Croatian Sabor will conduct a special session on Saturday and that same evening a general rehearsal of the celebrations will be held.

Croatia's accession to the Union will be celebrated in Brussels on July 3 with a number of Croatian officials in attendance. That same day will mark Lithuania's taking over the six-month presidency of the Union.

According to Saucha, the celebrations will cost around HRK 5.2 million.

(Hina)



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