The statement ensued at the request of reporters who asked him to explain why the head of the IDS club of deputies in parliament, Damir Kajin failed to join three opposition parties -- SDP, HSS and HNS - in officially initiating procedure for a vote of no confidence in Foreign Minister Zuzul over his alleged involvement in a conflict-of-interest scan. This move of the IDS surprised the Opposition.
"This was not at all questionable. It is, however, unscrupulous to try to hurt the reputation of Damir Kajin and our party. Kajin reacted well," Jakovic said.
On Wednesday Kajin told a news conference in Zagreb that his party would vote for the dismissal of Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul, but stressed that the minister must first be given a chance to defend himself.
Jakovic told reporters in Pula that it was the current opposition in the Sabor that should find answers why they had lost the last elections and why they were now short of votes.
The IDS leader who is also Istria County Prefect held a news conference in Pula earlier on Thursday at which he commended the current government for supporting development projects in the county to greater extent than the previous one whose member he used to be for some time.
"The cooperation between Istria County and the Ivo Sanader cabinet is fair, and the government is fulfilling its promises, which is extremely good for citizens of Istria County. This cannot be seen only by politically ignorant or evil people," Jakovcic said.
Jakovic also informed about Tuesday's conference in the Italian city of Tremoli at which the Adriatic-Ionian Euroregion, a pan-national coordinating body for strengthening cooperation among countries at the Adriatic, was officially established.
He added that the key motive behind this move was to arrange the Adriatic area as an area of peace, cooperation and friendship among peoples living there.
"This is a modern political response to challenges of a united Europe and to challenges of stability and cooperation in the region. Europe will not be Europe until Balkan countries become members of the European Union," he added.
The new region includes Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro, Albania and Greece.