The biggest such fair in the region was opened by Croatian Agriculture Minister Tihomir Jakovina, who said cooperation with the Croatian Beekeepers Federation in drawing European Union funds was excellent.
"We have HRK 16 million at our disposal, of which HRK 8 million from EU funds and which we have fully absorbed," he said, dismissing criticism from the opposition HDZ party that the government's absorption of EU funds was poor.
"Data showing that more than 80% of IPARD funds have been absorbed refutes that. The Agriculture Ministry has drawn more than EUR 120 million last year through all the programmes at our disposal," the minister said.
Croatia has 11,500 registered beekeepers who produce 7,000 tonnes of honey a year.
(EUR 1 = HRK 7.7)