PM announces department for islands

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Friday that a department for islands would be established at the Regional Development and EU Funds Ministry soon, while Minister Gabrijela Zalac said this would happen by year's end.

Next year we will draw up a new law on islands because the current one was passed 20 years ago and it is time to update regulations, Plenkovic said in Mali Losinj on Losinj island at a ceremony at which Croatian Island Product certificates were presented.

Islands are important not just for tourism but for the people living on them, and it is the task of every government to make islands better connected and to help the economy, small and medium enterprise, agriculture and fisheries, Plenkovic said.

Before the presentation ceremony, Minister Zalac met for the first time with producers from nearly every Croatian island. The talks were tense because islanders feel neglected and as second class citizens.

"It's evident the producers are frustrated because they haven't received the aid they expected, which is something that must change," she said, adding that the needs of producers and people living on islands must be taken into account when drawing up policies and laws and absorbing European Union funds.

She announced the department for islands would be set up at her ministry by year's end.

This year, 68 producers received Croatian Island Product certificates for 111 products. Over the past ten years, 249 producers received the certificates for 739 products. Some of the products have become European and world brands, receiving awards at international events in London, Birmingham and Brussels.

 

News