GOVERNMENT ADOPTS "PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT" PROGRAMME

ZAGREB, Dec 20 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday adopted a "Partnership for Development" programme which should on Saturday be signed by representatives of all social partners, the government, unions and employers. Other organisations, associations and political parties will also be able to sign the agreement. The grand task of a country's development, which is the government's priority in the next two years, demands the highest degree of national consensus, and can be equalised with the task of the Homeland Defence War, when the battle for Croatia's independence was led, Prime Minister Ivica Racan said. Because of the need for a consensus, Racan called in other unions, political parties, scientific and educational institutions, civil associations, and chambers of commerce and others, to sign the agreement. The government is prepared to invest the second half of its mandate in this direction, he stressed. This social agreement, which was worked on for two years, is exceptionally important for reforms and the development of the state, members said at Thursday's government session. Among the goals to be worked on by social partners in the next two years are the restructuring of the economy, growth of employment, tax unburdening, reform of the education and science system, a completion of the health and pension insurance reform, etc. The signing of the agreement is not a ceremonious act, all partners commit themselves to assume great commitments for the implementation of reforms and preparing Croatia for the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic said. The Partnership for Development is the crown of the government's work so far, Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic said. He stressed it was an exceptionally important document which would make it possible for an increasing number of citizens to feel all the good Racan's government did. Speaking about this year's positive moves in the economy, Fizulic, among else, said there were difficulties in a part of the economy. This year was a record one for tourism, trade, shipbuilding, he said, adding that savings in banks had almost doubled. The union signatories to the Partnership for Development have 90 percent of the union membership under their wings, the government members said. The union side is represented by the Alliance of Independent Croatian Unions, the Croatian Public Services Central Union, the Independent Croatian Unions, the Croatian Unions' Alliance and the Association of Workers' Unions. (hina) lml