ZAGREB, Dec 8 (Hina) - Ahead of the parliamentary election in Croatia, the European Union has decided to provide financial support for two Croatian non-government organisations within its programme of subsidies for democratic
development. The two organisations are the women's ad-hoc coalition Vote 99 and the Organised Monitoring of Elections by Citizens (GONG), said a statement from the European Commission Office in Zagreb on Wednesday. Special EC envoy Per Vinther on Tuesday signed contracts on financial support with representatives of the two organisations, granting support for a part of their activities in the upcoming parliamentary elections. A total of 450,000 euros have been earmarked for the year 1999/2000 for the EU programme of democratic development, which is aimed at supporting the work of non-government associations engaged in the protection of democracy and human and civil rights in
ZAGREB, Dec 8 (Hina) - Ahead of the parliamentary election in
Croatia, the European Union has decided to provide financial
support for two Croatian non-government organisations within its
programme of subsidies for democratic development.
The two organisations are the women's ad-hoc coalition Vote 99 and
the Organised Monitoring of Elections by Citizens (GONG), said a
statement from the European Commission Office in Zagreb on
Wednesday.
Special EC envoy Per Vinther on Tuesday signed contracts on
financial support with representatives of the two organisations,
granting support for a part of their activities in the upcoming
parliamentary elections.
A total of 450,000 euros have been earmarked for the year 1999/2000
for the EU programme of democratic development, which is aimed at
supporting the work of non-government associations engaged in the
protection of democracy and human and civil rights in the whole
world.
A total of 49,000 euros have been given to the women's association
Vote 99 and GONG each, EC Office spokeswoman Mirela Rasic told
Hina.
The aim of the Vote 99 campaign, entitled "From Door to Door", is to
increase the political engagement of women and put women's issues
on the agenda in the election campaign. The campaign, to be
implemented by volunteers, will focus on eastern Slavonia and
Dalmatia regions.
The main goal of the GONG is to contribute to creating conditions
for the implementation of a free and fair election by recruiting and
training some 3,000 domestic non-party monitors, who will
supervise the polling stations on the election day.
The European Commission has estimated that both projects are in
accordance with the EU's wish for the elections in Croatia to be
free and fair. The EC will also subsidise the independent
monitoring of the Croatian media in their coverage of the election
campaign.
(hina) rml