ZAGREB ZAGREB, Dec 14 (Hina) - A total of 257 non-government organisations from all over Croatia gathered in Zagreb on Friday for a two-day event, "Days of Associations". The meeting, which is taking place at the Zagreb Fair, was
opened by Vice-Premier Zeljka Antunovic, who said Croatia was able and willing to develop its society towards democracy and show it could do it in a much shorter time than expected. The Croatian government wants to transfer part of obligations from the state administration to the civil society and non-government associations, which can fulfil them more efficiently because they are closer to the citizens in providing assistance, Antunovic said, adding communication between the government and the associations had improved this year. This, she said, showed that Croatia "is on the right track towards democracy." The meeting was addressed by the ambassadors of the United States and Belgium (the country chairing
ZAGREB, Dec 14 (Hina) - A total of 257 non-government organisations
from all over Croatia gathered in Zagreb on Friday for a two-day
event, "Days of Associations". The meeting, which is taking place
at the Zagreb Fair, was opened by Vice-Premier Zeljka Antunovic,
who said Croatia was able and willing to develop its society towards
democracy and show it could do it in a much shorter time than
expected.
The Croatian government wants to transfer part of obligations from
the state administration to the civil society and non-government
associations, which can fulfil them more efficiently because they
are closer to the citizens in providing assistance, Antunovic said,
adding communication between the government and the associations
had improved this year. This, she said, showed that Croatia "is on
the right track towards democracy."
The meeting was addressed by the ambassadors of the United States
and Belgium (the country chairing the European Union this year),
Lawrence G. Rossin and Luca Liebaut, who emphasised Croatia's
progress in the democratisation and development of the civil
society.
Attending the "Days of Associations" are non-government
organisations for the protection of human rights, social care,
health prevention, children and youth care, environmental
protection, democratisation, for the protection of cultural
heritage and the computerisation of the society.
On the occasion of the International Year of Volunteers, Antunovic
handed diplomas to the representatives of all 257 associations for
their contribution to the promotion of volunteering.
(hina) sb rml