ZAGREB, Dec 15 (Hina) - Croatia's ruling party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), on Wednesday presented its programme for impending parliamentary elections. The programme's slogan is "Everything for Croatia".
ZAGREB, Dec 15 (Hina) - Croatia's ruling party, the Croatian
Democratic Union (HDZ), on Wednesday presented its programme for
impending parliamentary elections. The programme's slogan is
"Everything for Croatia".#L#
According to HDZ vice president Ljerka Mintas-Hodak, the programme
consists of three parts: past achievements, current problems, and
present and future goals.
Staying true to the political legacy of President Tudjman, we
believe we shall be able to realise the electoral programme with the
support of the entire Croatian people, because we best know how to,
want to, and can, Mintas-Hodak asserted.
In the past period HDZ's attention and activity focused on the
realisation of the vital interests of the Croatian state, she said,
whereas in the future, and if it won the voters' trust, it would
focus on the realisation of stability and well-being of everyone in
Croatia.
According to Nikica Valentic, another HDZ vice president and future
prime minister candidate, the HDZ believes it has the right to seek
legitimacy for the continuation of the policy which established
stability and security for all Croatian citizens.
"We are not satisfied with the situation in the economy and the
social sector, nor in the sphere of the rule-of-law," Valentic
said. As regards the privatisation process, he believes it deserved
a passing grade. Valentic stressed the necessity of a faster
economic growth as a precondition for the reduction of the
unemployment rate and the strengthening of economic and social
stability.
If it won the voters' support, Valentic said the HDZ would centre
its efforts and forces on the reduction of public spending and
taxes, stimulate employment and a regional approach in investing,
especially in areas of special government concern, better
transport connections, and openness to foreign investors.
Valentic announced the HDZ would also consolidate the health and
pension system, and ensure a continued growth of salaries and
pensions.
According to Vladimir Seks, another HDZ vice president and the
party's candidate for the future president of parliament, the HDZ
is not satisfied with the functioning of the rule-of-law.
He said the ruling party held itself partly responsible for that,
but added in the future the HDZ would advocate the independence of
judicial authority, as well as its accountability for slowness and
inefficiency.
HDZ vice president and possible candidate at presidential
elections Mate Granic said the inclusion of Croatia into Euro-
Atlantic integration and the advancement of good neighbourly
relations with all neighbouring countries was the fundamental goal
of the part of HDZ's electoral programme which refers to foreign
affairs.
Granic announced the advancement of good relations with the United
States and other world powers, as well as countries where Croatian
emigrants live.
Croatia will take an active part in the Stability Pact for Southeast
Europe on the basis of the adopted programme, but will not consent
to any Balkan associations or joining in a customs union, Granic
asserted.
He stressed Croatia would continue to give strong support to the
Dayton and Washington peace agreements. Croatia will base its
relationship with the European Union on its commitment to European
integration, with the preservation of the cultural, national, and
territorial identity.
Milan Kovac said the HDZ would continue to care for Croats in
neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina and for Croatian emigrants.
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