ZAGREB, Aug 27 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Tuesday he would insist on an investigation against and the punishment of persons from the Osijek Sugar Refinery who were responsible for exporting sugar mixed with
cane sugar to Greece.
ZAGREB, Aug 27 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on
Tuesday he would insist on an investigation against and the
punishment of persons from the Osijek Sugar Refinery who were
responsible for exporting sugar mixed with cane sugar to Greece.
#L#
The export of such sugar constitutes a violation of the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Croatia and the
European Union, Racan said.
Problems with Croatian sugar exports started in mid-July after some
EU countries introduced deposits for Croatian sugar exports due to
suspicion that the sugar was not of exclusively domestic origin.
The deposits were introduced by Germany, Austria, Greece, and Italy
and the problem was discussed by a Croatian delegation and European
Commission officials in mid-July.
Racan told reporters today that Croatia completely accepted
responsibility for respecting its commitments. Those who are
obstructing the implementation of contractual obligations must be
punished, he said.
He added that sugar with cane sugar added were exported to Greece
and there was no information on it having been exported to other
countries.
Racan expressed hope that the latest sugar affair would not affect
negotiations with the countries which had introduced deposits for
Croatian sugar exports.
(hina) rml sb