There has been no scientifically-based research into corruption in Croatia to date, so the government has accepted a proposal from the USKOK to carry out such research in cooperation with the Zagreb Law School, which is in line with the national anti-corruption strategy, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader explained at a government session.
The government amended the Decree on the Implementation of the Customs Act to simplify and speed up customs procedures and improve the efficiency of the customs service in accordance with EU standards.
Under the amended Decree, passengers above the age of 17 will be exempt from the payment of customs duties on tobacco and tobacco products, alcoholic drinks, smaller amounts of perfume, medicines and medical products for passengers' personal needs. Humanitarian organisations and disabled persons will not have to pay customs on imports of necessary equipment.
The government accepted a proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture to co-fund the intervention purchase of pork stocks that remained on the market amid fears of swine plague. Agriculture Minister Petar Cobankovic said that the purpose of the measure was to prevent disruptions on the pork market and reduce the need for pig imports.
The government extended INA's licence for oil and gas explorations in the Adriatic Sea for another five years after the national oil company failed to complete the planned hydrocarbon explorations.
The government also decided to co-fund a project for protection against water pollution along the Adriatic coast with 30 million kuna. The overall value of the 10-year project is about three billion kuna, half of which will be covered by a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 10 per cent from the state budget, 13 per cent by the state-owned water management company and 27 per cent by local government units.
(1 euro = 7.35 kuna)