ZAGREB, Jan 20 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa said on Wednesday that announced changes in the organisation of the Government was a project which he and President Tudjman had been elaborating for some time. This is in line
with more efficient work, the final organisation of the administration and all Government's structures in the peace-time period, Matesa told reporters immediately after President Tudjman submitted a report on the state of the nation in 1998 at the joint session of the national parliament's both chambers. In his address, Tudjman announced some kind of reconstruction of the Government saying that he deemed it appropriate and purposeful, in consideration of general circumstances, "to reshuffle the Government, to an extent, in terms of reducing the excessive number of ministries and pooling similar activities." President Tudjman expressed his opinion that "changes ought to be made in the org
ZAGREB, Jan 20 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa said on
Wednesday that announced changes in the organisation of the
Government was a project which he and President Tudjman had been
elaborating for some time.
This is in line with more efficient work, the final organisation of
the administration and all Government's structures in the peace-
time period, Matesa told reporters immediately after President
Tudjman submitted a report on the state of the nation in 1998 at the
joint session of the national parliament's both chambers.
In his address, Tudjman announced some kind of reconstruction of
the Government saying that he deemed it appropriate and purposeful,
in consideration of general circumstances, "to reshuffle the
Government, to an extent, in terms of reducing the excessive number
of ministries and pooling similar activities."
President Tudjman expressed his opinion that "changes ought to be
made in the organisation of the Government in spite of the fact that
the present Government, with the Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, has
very successfully discharged its duties throughout its three-year
term of office, and particularly in 1998."
The changes which President Tudjman intends to propose to the
Government and Parliament "should be implemented for the sake of a
faster and more efficient solution of important and undeferrable
issues, but also in order to promote reduction and enhance
efficiency of the administration at all levels."
Commenting on the proposed changes Matesa said they would be very
important as they should help promote a new way of the work in the
administration as well as frugality and rationality.
He added that certain amendments to the Law on the Government could
be expected in the coming months. The number of the ministries
should be appropriate for the economic level and the current needs
of Croatia, Matesa explained.
Croatian Finance Minister Borislav Skegro also commented on the
announced changes of the administration. Asked whether he would be
"affected" by these changes Skegro responded that the reporters
should ask the President about it adding that he did not think he was
of "such luck".
Skegro described Wednesday's address of President Tudjman as one of
the best so far. The Finance Minister said that Tudjman's address on
the state of the nation in 1998 was concise and balanced.
The President accentuated, in an open manner, both the positive and
negative events in 1998, Skegro said adding that for him, tasks
given to the Government for this year were most important.
(hina) jn/ms