Croatia's first coalition government was formed out of necessity, in the extraordinary circumstances of Slobodan Milosevic's Great Serbian aggression on Croatia. In order to ensure full political unity needed to protect Croatia's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and democratic order, eight parliamentary parties demonstrated political maturity and signed an agreement to form a government that would enjoy the support of all political forces in the country in those turbulent times, the government's press office said.
The National Unity Government successfully organised an efficient defence of Croatia in a war that was imposed on the country, it worked on the protection of the entire population and ensured normal living conditions for refugees and displaced people. It also ensured economic preconditions for the country's defence while promoting a market economy, establishing monetary autonomy and ensuring Croatia's international recognition and membership of the United Nations.
The National Unity Government prepared the country for reconstruction and removal of the consequences of war destruction following the liberation of occupied areas, its members recalled.
The meeting between Plenkovic and members of the National Unity Government also focused on the current economic and political situation in the country, as well as global, notably security-related challenges Croatia was encountering as an important international actor and member of the EU and NATO and other important associations.
Plenkovic spoke about the achievements of his government in the first year of its term, placing emphasis on the economic growth achieved. He also stressed that according to official figures of the national statistical office and the EU's statistical office Eurostat it was evident that Croatia was reducing its public debt two times faster than was the EU average, which, he said, was an important trend in terms of meeting the Maastricht criteria for accession to the euro area.
He said that currently economic development, coupled with financial and economic stability, was crucial for employment growth and better living conditions.