ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - Croatian Environment Protection and Zoning Minister Bozo Kovacevic said on Tuesday that the current version of the agreement between Croatia and Slovenia on the jointly owned Krsko nuclear power plant was not
satisfactory, since the types of waste and its disposal were not adequately categorised. I am certain the government will not sign the agreement until all parameters are known, and financial calculations for the cost of waste disposal made more precise, Kovacevic told reporters during today's Christmas breakfast. Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday announced Croatia and Slovenia would be signing the agreement on Wednesday. Speaking about his ministry's tasks, Kovacevic said that the focus of the ministry for next year would continue to be the prevention of illegal construction, with the cooperation of local units. The campaign has this year increased the
ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - Croatian Environment Protection and Zoning
Minister Bozo Kovacevic said on Tuesday that the current version of
the agreement between Croatia and Slovenia on the jointly owned
Krsko nuclear power plant was not satisfactory, since the types of
waste and its disposal were not adequately categorised.
I am certain the government will not sign the agreement until all
parameters are known, and financial calculations for the cost of
waste disposal made more precise, Kovacevic told reporters during
today's Christmas breakfast.
Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday announced Croatia and
Slovenia would be signing the agreement on Wednesday.
Speaking about his ministry's tasks, Kovacevic said that the focus
of the ministry for next year would continue to be the prevention of
illegal construction, with the cooperation of local units. The
campaign has this year increased the number of applications for
construction permits by 20 percent in average, he added.
Kovacevic also commented on the "Croatia, a GMO-Free Country"
campaign and the initiative for passing a law on prohibiting the
production and usage of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
He said the parliament had been forwarded a protocol on biological
safety for ratification. The protocol clearly states that the mass
production of GMOs, especially food, not excluding the possibility
of usage for the purposes of medicine and science, should be
prohibited to maintain Croatia's biological variety as a
comparative advantage for the development of an ecological
industry and tourism.
It is also important for all food products to bear a mark so the
consumer would know whether it contains GMO or not, Kovacevic
stressed. He recalled that the U.S. Embassy had reacted to the
Ministry's decision stressing that if Croatia passed such a law,
measures against it would be undertaken within the World Trade
Organisation. Law experts have, however, stated that Croatia would
have no problems in the WTO if it did pass the law.
Kovacevic said it was important that the government adopted the
strategy for environment protection with a national plan of
action.
The Environment Protection Ministry is accelerating its
cooperation with the EU, because 35% of its directives towards
Croatia, if it wishes to become a member, pertains to environment
protection, the minister said.
The ministry has been allocated 150 million kuna in next year's
budget.
(hina) lml