The proposed measures are part of Croatia's efforts to adjust its legislation to European Union standards as the amendments propose the harmonisation of fishing licences for recreational fishing issued to local fishermen with those which would be issued to foreign tourists.
The clubs, however, were divided over the agenda's item on whether the government should be allowed to conclude an agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a loan for the protection of the coastal area and islands from pollution.
The EUR40 million loan will be used for the construction of networks of sewage and water supplies systems, while the debt would be serviced with funds raised from the payment of water bills in the area covered by the project.
The loan with a five-year grace period should be paid back within 10 years. The interest rate is calculated on the basis of the six-month EURIBOR increased by a fixed margin.
The Opposition claimed the loan was not favourable, while the Finance Ministry's State Secretary, Martina Dalic, told MPs that either the conditions for the loan would be accepted, or there would be no loan. She went on to say that Croatia, and particularly local government, would not able to solve the sewage and waste water management issue in the coastal area without foreign loans.
On Thursday morning, the clubs in the Sabor supported the government-sponsored bill on rescue operations which envisages the establishment of 'Centres 112', namely emergency call police centres, in accordance with European Union practice. The draft law also envisages setting up a state directorate for emergency situations and rescue operations.
Although the clubs endorsed in principle the government's bill, opposition MPs said that the text of the bill was incomplete and that the bill should not be adopted in urgent procedure.
The parliament ended its sitting on Thursday afternoon with a debate on the annual financial statement submitted by the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR). The HBOR report, which says among other things, that this financial institution's activities in 2003 were successful, was supported by all the clubs. The document also reads that in 2003 the bank issued loans worth 23.8 billion kuna.
On Friday morning, the Sabor resumes its 11th session with a debate on a proposal moved by the opposition Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) on the establishment of a commission of inquiry whose task would be to investigate the leaking of transcripts from the Office of former Croatian President Franjo Tudjman.