ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - Croatia's Minister of European Integration, Ivan Jakovcic, said on Thursday the Croatian Justice Ministry's decision suspending some regulations of the Istria County Statute did not abolish biligualism in
Istria or suspended the acquired rights of the Italian minority. There is no reason for Italy to be concerned because the Italian minority in Croatia is not threatened in any way, he said.
ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - Croatia's Minister of European
Integration, Ivan Jakovcic, said on Thursday the Croatian Justice
Ministry's decision suspending some regulations of the Istria
County Statute did not abolish biligualism in Istria or suspended
the acquired rights of the Italian minority. There is no reason for
Italy to be concerned because the Italian minority in Croatia is not
threatened in any way, he said. #L#
Jakovcic made the statement after today's closed-door session of
the Croatian government which discussed official reactions of the
Italian authorities. Namely, the Rome authorities have voiced
concern over the Croatian Justice Ministry's decision to suspend
ten provisions of the Istria County Statute. The controversial
provisions introduce, among else, bilingualism on the entire
territory of Istria County.
The statute was drawn up and adopted by the Istrian Democratic
Assembly (IDS), the leading party in Istria County. The party's
president and government minister, Ivan Jakovcic, told reporters
the statute only sanctioned the eight-year-long situation in
Istria and widened the Italian minority's rights. The Justice
Ministry's decision which suspended some provisions of the statute
could therefore not reduce those acquired rights. The widening of
those rights referred to the introduction of biligualism into
county assembly and government bodies and not throughout Istria's
territory.
There will be no bilingual signs nor is there a need for them,
Jakovcic said. There is a legal possibility to introduce
bilingualism in the county government and assembly and their
bodies, however, not throughout Istria's territory. That does not
exist nor is it necessary, Jakovcic said.
Jakovcic told reporters that the foreign minister had briefly
informed today's government session about Croatia-Italy relations
in the wake of the passing of the Statute and the Justice Ministry
decision suspending ten of its provisions.
Croatia will honour all the international agreements it signed and
inherited, including those referring to Italy, Jakovcic said,
conveying the government's stances.
The Croatian government wishes to continue developing excellent
relations with Italy, especially in politics and the economy, he
said, adding the Italian minority was one of the best organised and
best protected in Croatia.
(hina) sb rml