SPLIT SPLIT, Sept 26 (Hina) - A member of the Social Democratic Party's (SDP) Presidency and Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Linic on Friday told reporters in Split that, given the interests of neighbouring countries, Croatia's plan to
expand its jurisdiction in the Adriatic should probably be limited to declaring only a fishing zone.
SPLIT, Sept 26 (Hina) - A member of the Social Democratic Party's
(SDP) Presidency and Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Linic on Friday
told reporters in Split that, given the interests of neighbouring
countries, Croatia's plan to expand its jurisdiction in the
Adriatic should probably be limited to declaring only a fishing
zone. #L#
Asked about Croatia's plan to declare an economic zone in the
Adriatic, Linic said that this was a difficult matter and that the
plan should perhaps be changed to refer only to a fishing zone.
Linic said that despite the fact that Croatia had every legal right
to proclaim the zone, it was becoming obvious that this did not suit
either the EU or Italy.
Linic and his party colleague and Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac
dedicated the press conference to the party's election platform.
The elections will not threaten the current economic growth,
because of the current economic policy, which guarantees
continuity in development, the two officials said.
Crkvenac expressed belief that after the elections and during 2004,
economic development would continue and that next year Croatia
would see a growth rate of five percent.
He claimed that the opposition did not have any platform that could
be considered a viable alternative to the results of the current
government.
Asked about the privatisation of the Slobodna Dalmacija daily,
Linic said that the matter would be resolved before the election.
Twenty-five percent of shares plus one share will be allocated to
the daily's employees, and a public tender will be announced for a
financial partner. "The government believes that Slobodna
Dalmacija should not look for a majority owner, but a sponsor,"
Linic said.
He voiced dissatisfaction with the current management of the
Brodosplit shipyard, stating that the company's fundamental
problem was the fact that it was burdened with activities that were
not related to shipbuilding.
Croatia needs the shipbuilding industry and the government will
always support it, but it cannot finance losses, he said.
(hina) rml