Deputies agreed that parliament should ratify the framework agreement saying that apart from financial gain, the ratification would confirm Croatia's determination to associate with the European Union.
The programmes are aimed at encouraging enterprise, gender equality, the transport system and scientific research.
Deputies, however, highlighted that a large amount of money was at stake and that it needed to be used wisely, said Jozo Rados of the HNS-PGS club of deputies. Rados added that EU's perception of Croatia would depend on how those funds would be used.
This year, Croatia is entitled to withdraw some EUR300 million and whether it will withdraw 50 or 100 million is not the same thing, Rados said expressing dissatisfaction with the fact that parliament did not have any mechanism to monitor this process.
Parliament will resume the 14th session on Wednesday.