- Published: 01.12.2017.
PM outlines concrete measures to help east Croatia
Opening a meeting of the cabinet in the eastern town of Osijek, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic underscored that the fact that it was being held in that city indicated this government's determination to reduce the imbalance in regional development through concrete policies and measures and through the budget and activities for the development of the city of Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County and the entire region of Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem.
That is why here in Osijek, we established the Advisory Council for Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem and following three meetings of that body, we have proven that there is a new mechanism to concentrate the government activities, EU support and the activities of local and regional government units, the private sector, academic community, development agencies in such a way to make concerted action to help this region of Croatia which suffered great human and material loss, which impacted the development potential of Slavonia," Plenkovic said.
He recalled that the last meeting of the advisory body was held in Slavonski Brod.
"At today's meeting, we presented concrete projects in the fields of economy, transport, culture, tertiary education - a comprehensive approach that will be backed up with the signing of several agreements worth nearly one billion kuna of valuable projects for the city of Osijek and Osijek-Baranja County and when we consider the amount of all the projects that will be signed for counties in Slavonia, that amount is almost two billion kuna," Plenkovic said.
"That is a firm and strong message from the government to Slavonia overall and to all the people who live here," he added.
Osijek-Baranja County prefect Ivan Anusic and Osijek Mayor Ivica Vrkic said that the fact the government was meeting in Osijek indicated the government's commitment to balanced development of all parts of Croatia.
"The Slavonia, Baranja, Srijem project has shown that the region's development is a priority and that it (government) wants to help eastern Croatia which is the most threatened Croatia region economically and demographically," Anusic said.
He described the project of free meals for elementary school worth HRK 17 million whereby food produce would be procured from local family farms. County authorities will contribute HRK 12 million and the rest is to be financed by city and municipal authorities.
He added that several capital projects are on the cards including a regional fruit and vegetable distribution centre and projects in tourism and so on.
Mayor Vrkic underlined that this year, Osijek was the most successful continental tourism destination.
He added that Osijek was the first city in Croatia to provide micro-computers for 5th grade pupils and that free transport was provided for all young athletes attending sports meetings in the country.
He added that this year the city administration allocated HRK 25 million for welfare programmes and next year that amount would be increased to HRK 30 million.
Text: Hina