Sanader was speaking to the press after visiting an old people's home in Karlovac. He said tomorrow's government session would tackle EFPZ activation and amendments to the law on the crossing of the state border. The session was to have been held today but was postponed because of parliamentary parties which had not taken a position on the government's EFPZ activation proposal.
As early as tomorrow the government will introduce the nondiscrimination right for Croatian fishermen, who will be able to enter the EFPZ without passport or border control within 36 hours, Sanader said, adding this was felt to be the time a fishing boat needed to enter and exit the EFPZ and that this solution had been reached with experts and fishermen.
This decision will go into force as soon as parliament confirms it, hopefully by the end of the week, said Sanader.
"This is a big step," he said, adding that the date of the EFPZ's activation would be final and that there would be no more delays.
He recalled that the government's proposal had been supported by the opposition People's Party, the Istrian Democratic Party, the regional PGS party, the parliamentary majority from the Social Liberals, the Pensioners Party and representatives of national minorities, as well as by President Stjepan Mesic.
The question is whether we can find a compromise between the government's and the Social Democratic Party's (SDP) proposal to activate the EFPZ immediately, which is irresponsible, said Sanader. I expect everyone to be responsible at this moment and for us to find a solution together, he added.
The press asked for a comment on SDP leader Ivica Racan's statement today that the SDP could not accept unofficial announcements that the government would propose applying the EFPZ to EU countries as of 1 January 2008 because it would represent shifting this problem onto the next government. The SDP insists on activating the EFPZ's ecology component immediately and the one on fisheries on July 1, 2007.
"If parliament adopts a decision that the EFPZ goes into force on a specific date, which we will reveal tomorrow, then that is a definitive decision and there is no shifting of the issue and the EFPZ will apply for everyone, including EU countries," said Sanader.
"Activating the EFPZ immediately means that we still don't have what everyone expects, because we have to prepare for the control (of the EFPZ) and all else that is necessary," he added.
Answering questions from the press, Sanader said Croatia was in touch with the European Commission and EU countries through a task force and relevant ministries. "The decision we will make will not damage Croatia and will serve Croatian interests."
President Mesic voiced confidence that political parties would reach a consensus on the EFPZ and that there would also be an agreement with the EC and everyone concerned. He said issues pertaining to fisheries and the ecology should be distinguished.
Asked if Croatia would get a slap on the wrist if it activated the EFPZ, Mesic said a fallout was certainly possible if there was no agreement and if the decision was unilateral. He reiterated, however, that he was confident that all the parties involved would be serious and that a consensus would be reached.