Deputies of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) dismissed the accusations and called for the adoption of the government's proposal so as not to harm the pace of Croatia's progress to EU membership.
Most vocal in their criticism were members of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), who said that by making new, legally unfounded concessions to Italy and Slovenia, Croatia might be further blackmailed on its path to the EU.
"The day you let Italy and Slovenia prescribe to us what we should do about protecting the Adriatic you stabbed Croatia in the back," HSP deputy Tonci Tadic said, expressing confidence that only the declaration of an exclusive economic zone, particularly its ecological component, might protect the Adriatic Sea and the Croatian fishermen.
Tadic said that Croatia did not have to seek permission from the EU regarding the environmental protection of the Croatian part of the Adriatic because the issue did not fall within the EU's acquis communautaire. He added that by proposing a delay, the government was renouncing the sovereignty of Croatia.
Zeljko Pecek of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) said that in 2003, while it was in opposition, the HDZ had criticised the decision declaring the EFPZ and advocated proclamation of an exclusive economic zone, and that now it was scaring the public with unfounded stories that EU membership talks would be suspended unless the government's proposal was accepted.
The strongest opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) was also in favour of immediate activation of the EFPZ.
HDZ deputy Luka Bebic dismissed the criticism, saying that the urgent activation of the EFPZ might lead to Italy and Slovenia slowing down the process of Croatia's accession to the EU.
"A year is not such a long time that something would change dramatically," Bebic said, adding that the time before the activation of the EFPZ would be used for strengthening the Croatian fishing fleet and other mechanisms necessary for the enforcement of the EFPZ.
The government's proposal that the EFPZ should apply to EU members as of January 1, 2008 at the latest was backed by the Croatian People's Party (HNS).
HNS deputy Dragutin Lesar said that since the declaration of the EFPZ in October 2003 nothing had been done to enforce it. He dismissed interpretations that by supporting the government's proposal the HNS was also supporting the government.
The HNS proposed that the government revise the 2007 budget to secure additional funds for the Coast Guard, the modernisation of the fishing fleet and the construction of wholesale fish markets and fishing ports.
The ruling party backed the proposal in principle, with Luka Bebic saying he believed the government would do so within the scope of its capabilities.
Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who presented the proposal, rejected allegations that the government had withheld the minutes of a tripartite meeting in 2004, which say that Croatia will not unilaterally activate the EFPZ. She also dismissed allegations that the government was delaying the activation of the EFPZ because of pressure from the European Union.
The caucus of regional parties, the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) announced their support for the government's proposal, with the HSLS saying that it would put forward an amendment proposing that the EFPZ be activated on July 1 next year.
Damir Kajin said that his Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) would abstain from voting on the proposal.