- Published: 11.12.2019.
PM sees opinion of advocate general as step toward agreement with Slovenia
The opinion of the advocate general of the European Union's top court that this judicial institution has no jurisdiction over the Slovenia-Croatia border dispute is a step toward agreement between the two countries on the issue dating back to the time of Yugoslavia's break-up, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday.
Court of Justice of the European Union Advocate General Priit Pikamae said on Wednesday the Court did not have jurisdiction in Slovenia's case against Croatia, accepting arguments submitted by Croatia which argued that the case was not about EU law but international law.
Slovenia launched proceedings against Croatia alleging that its neighbour was violating articles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which concern respect for the rule of law and loyal cooperation between member states.
Commenting on the opinion of the Estonian expert Pikamae, Plenkovic said at a meeting of his cabinet that what Croatia and Slovenia had in common was greater than the issue of border demarcation, an outstanding issue dating back to the time when they were republics in the Yugoslav federation.
"Eventually we will definitely sit at the table and seek a mutually satisfactory solution," said the premier.
The opinion presented by the independent attorney-general is a step in that direction, he added.
PM says issue of income limit for free supplemental health insurance to be solved
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday that he had agreed with the Croatian Pensioners Union (SUH) and the MUH pensioners' association on ways to solve the issue of income limit for exemption from the payment of supplemental health insurance.
"Pensions have been growing owing to our pension reform and indexation so the pensions of some of our citizens now exceed the income limit for free supplemental health insurance," Plenkovic said.
At a meeting with pensioners' representatives agreement was reached to solve the problem in two steps, he said.
One is to raise the income threshold for free supplemental health insurance and the other is to find a lasting mechanism that would prevent situations in which a person's pension is growing and because it exceeds the threshold for free supplemental health insurance, they have to start paying for supplemental health insurance, which again leaves them with less money, said Plenkovic.
He said that the ministries of health, finance and labour and pension system would prepare amendments to the existing legislation to remove this problem.
"Those who plan to stage protests outside the government offices should know that those in favour of dialogue have solved the problem," Plenkovic said in a comment on Croatian Pensioners Party (HSU) president Silvano Hrelja threatening the government with protests of pensioners if the income limit for free supplemental health insurance is not increased.
Text: Hina