ZAGREB, July 31 (Hina) - The newly-appointed Minister of Environmental Protection and Urban Planning, Ivo Banac, said on Thursday that this government department was the right place for the implementation of the policy of his Liberal
Party. "If my appointment as a minister is to weaken my political position and in return strengthen the party and make it possible for this ministry to work properly, then I agree to such a price," Banac told a press conference, his first since entering the government which he had previously severely criticised. Banac said he intended to set clear criteria in the area of environmental protection and construction, announcing that he would significantly improve cooperation with environmental associations and the media. He described the ministry's previous work as insufficiently transparent, which he said had resulted in a negative attitude of the public towards the ministry.
ZAGREB, July 31 (Hina) - The newly-appointed Minister of
Environmental Protection and Urban Planning, Ivo Banac, said on
Thursday that this government department was the right place for
the implementation of the policy of his Liberal Party.
"If my appointment as a minister is to weaken my political position
and in return strengthen the party and make it possible for this
ministry to work properly, then I agree to such a price," Banac told
a press conference, his first since entering the government which
he had previously severely criticised.
Banac said he intended to set clear criteria in the area of
environmental protection and construction, announcing that he
would significantly improve cooperation with environmental
associations and the media.
He described the ministry's previous work as insufficiently
transparent, which he said had resulted in a negative attitude of
the public towards the ministry.
Banac announced a series of measures to resolve the problem of
illegal waste disposal in accordance with the national strategy for
waste management.
Speaking of the problem of illegal building, he said that the
ministry would adhere to the existing criteria and legal
procedures, but that it would also review all decisions on the
destruction of illegally constructed buildings.
Banac opposed the implementation of the so-called Druzba Adria
project, which plans to bring Russian oil to the northern Adriatic
island of Krk, saying that the Adriatic Sea should not be exposed to
a threat of pollution.
(hina) vm sb