PM Plenkovic: We'll find a solution that will satisfy students

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic attended a traditional Christmas reception organised by the Serb National Council (SNV) in Zagreb.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told reporters after attending a traditional Christmas reception organised by the Serb National Council (SNV) in Zagreb on Thursday that his government's policy was one of stability, tolerance, dialogue, settlement of outstanding issues and good relations with all minorities in Croatia.

"I attended the traditional Christmas reception at the invitation of SNV president Milorad Pupovac, to wish representatives of the Serb ethnic minority and Serb Orthodox believers a merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year," said Plenkovic, who would not comment on Pupovac's address at the event, in which he objected to Plenkovic's position in the case of a memorial plaque containing an Ustasha salute that was put up in Jasenovac in November last year.

He said that his government's policy was one of stability, tolerance, dialogue, settlement of outstanding issues and good relations with all ethnic minorities in Croatia, which were part of the parliamentary majority.

"We want to settle all outstanding issues in relations with neighbouring countries, including Serbia. We particularly care about respect for the Croat ethnic minority in Serbia," said Plenkovic.

He said that it was important for him as Prime Minister to have attended the SNV's Christmas reception and to have sent a message that was accepted well by the head of the Serb Orthodox Church in Slovenia and Croatia, Metropolitan Profirije, as well as by most other participants in the event. He would not comment on other officials' addresses at the event.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic announced that he would speak with student representatives who are dissatisfied with the new regulation on income tax on student contracts lowering the non-taxable amount from HRK 50,000 to HRK 15,000, adding that the government would find a solution to satisfy students.

"We will find a solution that will satisfy students and prevent any deterioration of their status. We will sit down with student representatives," he said on the government's Twitter account.

Attending a traditional Orthodox Christmas function organised by the Serb National Council (SNV), Plenkovic told reporters that a solution would probably be found concerning students' income and its calculation, and added that he had instructed Finance Minister Zdravko Maric to find a solution to the problem. He confirmed that next week he would speak with student representatives.

Plenkovic was also asked to comment on the interest of war veterans and workers in participating in the possible purchase of the MOL oil and gas group's stake in INA and reports that Economy Minister Martina Dalic could be in a conflict of interest situation over her husband's job.

"As regards the purchase of MOL's stake in INA and the initial public offering for HEP, that is the government's policy, not the policy of any one particular member of that government. The HDZ and Bridge support that decision and at this moment I don't see any indications of a possible conflict of interest on the part of any government member," Plenkovic said.

The government's policy is clear - the state should have management rights and a majority interest in the two key energy companies, in line with the law and in the interest of energy security and energy supply, he said.

As for President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic's visit to the USA, which ends today, Plenkovic said that he believed that Grabar-Kitarovic had conducted talks that were of interest to Croatia.

"It is up to her and her office to report on the details of those meetings," he said.

Asked if she had consulted with him before leaving for the USA, he said that they did not need to consult on every matter.

"Croatia has a clear policy, each of us conducts talks in line with Croatia's strategic goals," he said.

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