"Split, which has been living for more than 1,700 years, is part of the strong Croatian identity, our culture, heritage and faith, and it's also part of UNESCO's heritage," Plenkovic said at the session.
He recalled that contracts worth HRK 2 billion were signed at a cabinet session held in Split a year ago. "Many of those projects are capital for the development of Split and Split-Dalmatia County."
Plenkovic announced the opening of a new Split Airport terminal for which more than HRK 230 million worth of state assets was made available.
"I'd also mention the Split-Solin agglomeration water supply infrastructure project, which is worth HRK 1.084 billion and which we expect to be approved in this year's second quarter, and this project will be a big step forward in the quality of life in the Split area," the prime minister said.
He announced joint investments in upgrading the transport infrastructure in Split to avoid traffic jams and facilitate access to the ferry port.
He said all that was necessary had been signed to embark on the Lecevica waste management centre project.
Plenkovic went on to say that the government had backed the Croatian Water Polo Federation's nomination of Split to host the 2022 European Water Polo Championship. "We ensured HRK 19 million for the organisation of that competition and that will be once again be another big sporting event in Split."
Plenkovic, Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Korzinek, State Assets Minister Goran Maric and Split mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara signed an agreement according to which the City of Split will manage the basement halls of Diocletian's Palace.
Plenkovic called the agreement historic and said efforts would be made to absorb as many European funds as possible to protect the cultural heritage in Croatia.
The government remains committed to strongly supporting Split's development in all areas, he said, announcing even more intense cooperation.
Krstulovic noted that the basement halls of Diocletian's Palace "are not just some common monument, but the largest antique roofed space after the Domus Aurea in Rome." He said the agreement would enable the city to "absorb significant funds to preserve, renovate and maintain this significant monument and part of the heritage."
Text: Hina