The pace of adjustment will depend on the process of analysis of the level of harmonisation of Croatian legislation with the EU's. KN6.6 billion (nearly EUR900 million) will have to be set aside from the national budget for the implementation of those laws from 2006 to 2008.
Deputies also adopted a strategy to inform the Croatian public about the EU and the country's preparations for EU membership in order to provide an objective picture of the bloc.
The Sabor ratified an agreement with Bosnia-Herzegovina under which Croatia undertakes to care for Bosnian Croat disabled war veterans and their families. This year Croatia will provide care for 850 families of members of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) killed in the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, and for about 4,000 disabled war veterans over the next two years.
Under a law that went into force in Bosnia-Herzegovina on 1 January, that country will pay disabled war veterans a monthly allowance of about 50 convertible marks (25 euros), while Croatia will pay them the difference of up to one average disabled war veterans allowance in Croatia, which is about KN5,000 (about 675 euros).
Also ratified was an agreement on the consolidation of the debt to Italy as a member of the Paris Club, and Protocol 14 to the 1953 European Convention on Human Rights.
Deputies approved the guarantee agreement between Croatia and the European Investment Bank for the construction of a ring road bypassing the southern coastal city of Split. The bank will provide a EUR60 million loan for the EUR203 million project.
The Sabor is scheduled to continue its session next week with a debate on government-sponsored amendments to the law on elections for local councils.