ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - Croatia's Public Works, Reconstruction, and Construction Minister Radimir Cacic on Tuesday held talks with European Commission (EC) special envoy to Croatia Per Vinther and ASB representative Alfons Peters.
Vinther and Peters briefed Cacic on EC's past work and investments in the reconstruction of Croatia's war-ravaged areas, and announced a stronger willingness to continue co-operation, Cacic's Ministry said in a statement. The EC and 13 Croatian counties will to that effect sign a memorandum on understanding, as part of which the EC will invest EUR13 million in the reconstruction of demolished inhabited areas, all in the aim to step up refugee and displaced person returns and create conditions for reconciliation in war-affected areas. Vinther today pointed to EC's willingness to back the efforts of Croatia's new government in the complex processes of return, reconstruction, a
ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - Croatia's Public Works, Reconstruction, and
Construction Minister Radimir Cacic on Tuesday held talks with
European Commission (EC) special envoy to Croatia Per Vinther and
ASB representative Alfons Peters.
Vinther and Peters briefed Cacic on EC's past work and investments
in the reconstruction of Croatia's war-ravaged areas, and
announced a stronger willingness to continue co-operation, Cacic's
Ministry said in a statement.
The EC and 13 Croatian counties will to that effect sign a
memorandum on understanding, as part of which the EC will invest
EUR13 million in the reconstruction of demolished inhabited areas,
all in the aim to step up refugee and displaced person returns and
create conditions for reconciliation in war-affected areas.
Vinther today pointed to EC's willingness to back the efforts of
Croatia's new government in the complex processes of return,
reconstruction, and reconciliation.
The EC expects Croatia will soon implement obligations taken to
change some legal regulations in the field of reconstruction and
returns, and urges Croatia's authorities to intensify efforts
aimed at stepping up administrative procedures necessary for the
realisation of all Croatian citizens' legal rights.
Cacic told Vinther and Peters all legal regulations which the
international community finds disturbing were in the process of
amendment. Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan will present a
complete report and the text of all changes during an impending
visit to Brussels, said the statement.
Cacic said the government, the Ministry of Public Works,
Reconstruction, and Construction, and other competent
institutions would do everything to eliminate possible
administrative problems and implement all of Croatia's obligations
towards the international community.
Changes in legislation and the acceleration of administrative
procedures will not automatically step up refugee and displaced
person returns, because they must be backed financially, Cacic
said. Since the possibilities of Croatia's state budget are very
limited, we expect adequate international support, he added.
Vinther told Cacic and his associates the EU would prepare new
frameworks of cooperation with Croatia by summer's end, including
new financial frameworks.
(hina) ha mm