accused the previous coalition government of irresponsible treatment of the state finance, asserting that they spent in advance financial means , which were to be spent this year, and failed to state it in reports which they gave to
the new government during the transfer of authority.
KA[TELA, Feb 14 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader and
Croatia's Premier, Ivo Sanader, has accused the previous coalition
government of irresponsible treatment of the state finance, asserting
that they spent in advance financial means , which were to be spent
this year, and failed to state it in reports which they gave to the
new government during the transfer of authority.#L#
That's why the incumbent government has huge problems when it is
trying to draft this year's state budget, Sanader said at his party's
rally in Kastel Sucurac (outside Split) on Friday evening.
"I do not seek an alibi or indulgence, as I am sure that we have
enough strength, determination and wisdom to cope with the problem and
sort out the state fiance," Sanader said speaking at the rally
organised to mark the 14th anniversary of the establishment of the
HDZ.
He accused the former government of incurring debts a few years in
advance for the so-called POS project, namely the
government-subsidised housing construction programme, and other
projects, labelling such attitude towards the state finance as
disastrous. Sanader, however, added, that his cabinet would not raise
a dust about it.
Despite all of this, this government will restore war veterans'
rights, increase income of mothers on maternity leave, prolong
maternity leave periods, and continue constructing Zagreb-Split
-Dubrovnik highway as well as launch programmes for encouraging small
entrepreneurship and foreign investors, Sanader added.
Commenting on progress in Croatia's relations with the European Union
and NATO, Sanader said that a goal of his government's was Croatia's
admission to the EU and the Alliance where Croatia had its niche, but
the HDZ government did not want to see that this process was a part of
some Balkan association but that Croatia may enter individually the
said organisations.
That means the way how we have been talking for a long period and what
Europe has accepted. That's why we are striving for receiving this
European Council's opinion before the spring and start accession
talks, he said.
"We are, of course, aware that there is no united Europe without the
countries from out neighbourhood, i.e. Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Serbia-Montenegro and others, but we do not want to be hostage of
anybody in this part of Europe," the HDZ chief said adding that
"that's why we insist that Croatia may start negotiations with the EU
and NATO as soon as possible so that we can set an example to
others".
(Hina) ms