ZAGREB, May 22 (Hina) - A final bill on foreign nationals met with numerous criticisms and rejection by the opposition during a discussion in the Croatian parliament on Thursday. The ruling coalition benches mostly supported the
bill.
ZAGREB, May 22 (Hina) - A final bill on foreign nationals met with
numerous criticisms and rejection by the opposition during a
discussion in the Croatian parliament on Thursday. The ruling
coalition benches mostly supported the bill. #L#
Mario Kovac of the Croatian Social Liberal Party warned about the
danger of "an invasion of Balkan culture promoters and the
restoration of cultural values of former Yugoslav countries in
Croatia". "People who left Croatia during the Homeland War
definitely lost the status of foreigners with permanent residence
but now they are again given this status and the privileges that go
with it," Kovac said.
Kovac rejected the bill with indignation, wondering about the
limits of the government's humility and readiness to retreat.
Ivan Penic of the Croatian Democratic Union said that he could not
accept the bill and would therefore vote against it.
"Croatia is a tourist country and it should facilitate the arrival
of tourists, but it should also take care of national security. I
can understand that we need certain solutions to move forward, but I
do not agree that we should be guinea pigs," Penic said.
Josip Leko of the Social Democratic Party said that the bill
confirmed Croatia's commitment to the EU and that it incorporated
most solutions that were applied in the EU.
The Croatian Peasant Party and Libra supported the bill, stating
that it was good and compatible with the EU legislation.
(hina) sp rml sb