Sanader said the government wanted the important 11-km section to be open before the weekend and the high number of expected tourist arrivals. He thanked the contractors and workers who built the section.
Kalmeta announced that over the next four years about one billion kuna would be invested in the building of state roads in the northern Adriatic Rijeka region.
Also today, Finance Minister Ivan Suker informed the government that the collection of this year's budgetary revenues through June was 7.4 per cent higher than in the corresponding period last year, with the collection in June alone 16 per cent higher than in June 2004.
Suker said this was the best indicator of the situation with state finances, thus refuting media allegations to the contrary. He presented these figures while briefing the government about preparations for the Pre-Accession Economic Programme.
The government accepted the Finance Ministry's proposal to set up a coordinating body in charge of preparing and monitoring the implementation of the programme. The coordinating body is comprised of representatives of ministries and other state institutions as well as independent economic experts.
PM Sanader said the coordinating body should also include representatives of trade unions and employers.
The government proposed that the parliament postpone by the end of this year the application of the Law on Chemicals, which was to have gone into force on July 1, with the explanation that not all conditions have been provided to launch the Office for Chemicals.
Sanader said the postponement should be used to adjust the law's provisions to European Union standards.
Also today, the government concluded it is necessary to start consultations with the European Commission about the introduction of import duties for beef in order to protect domestic breeders from excessive imports.
The government adopted a report on the implementation of the law on war veterans' rights, according to which the state spent 3.9 billion kuna in 2004 for the exercise of those rights.
War Veterans Minister Jadranka Kosor said that all provisions of the law had been fully executed.
Also today, the government proposed that the parliament adopt a declaration supporting the joint candidacy of Croatia and Hungary to organise the UEFA EURO 2012 soccer championships.
At the closed-door part of today's session, Djuro Brodarac was appointed the prime minister's advisor on mine-clearance.
Jasen Mesic was appointed assistant culture minister, while Hrvoje Zorac was relieved of duties as assistance science, education and sports minister at his request.
The government also decided to extend until September 30 the deadline for the submission of housing requests by returnees who lived in social flats before the 1990s war. The original deadline expired today.