PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES BILLS ON PAYMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS

ZAGREB, Dec 6 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Thursday discussed bills on the payment of next year's pension and basic health insurance contributions, which are to accompany the pension and health reform. Health Minister Andro Vlahusic said the bills would go into force on January 1 but be applied only after a dozen by-laws were adopted. Vlahusic said the final deadline for the implementation of the laws was June 30, when more than 10 related by-laws, as well as a law on property qualification, would be adopted. The law on property qualification will define those groups of citizens who will not have to pay participation fees on the basis of their income. The law will primarily refer to pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, and the most destitute citizens, he said. The parliament today also discussed a final bill on changes to the Law on Land Registers, which extends the deadline for ordering those books until 2007. MPs warned that ordering land registers, which in most cases do not reflect the real situation, required a lot of money. Some said that prolonging the deadline would extend legal uncertainty and discourage foreign investors. (hina) sb rml