ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - Croatia's premier-designate and leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivo Sanader, said on Saturday the new government would have between 12 and 14 ministries, and added that its final make-up would be
known after a session of the party presidency in a week's time.
ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - Croatia's premier-designate and leader of
the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivo Sanader, said on Saturday
the new government would have between 12 and 14 ministries, and
added that its final make-up would be known after a session of the
party presidency in a week's time. #L#
"We will consult with experts about that matter some more next
week," Sanader told reporters after today's session of the HDZ
National Board.
Speaking about the design of the new government, Sanader said that
plans to reduce the number of ministries were aimed at making the
state administration smaller and more efficient, so it could be at
the service of citizens instead of becoming an end in itself.
Asked whether he feared opposition to the radical reduction of the
state administration, Sanader said he did not, as otherwise he
would not have run for party president or accepted the task of
forming the government.
"Croatia needs more decisiveness, we are focused too much on
ourselves," Sanader said.
Asked whether the new justice minister would be from the Democratic
Centre (DC) party, Sanader said the DC had been offered to
participate in the new government, but no agreement had been
reached on any concrete ministry.
The HDZ leader dismissed speculations that Miomir Zuzul would be in
charge of relations with the UN war crimes tribunal.
Asked how talks with the Independent Democratic Serb Party were
proceeding, Sanader said the talks were still underway and added
that he expected an agreement to be reached next week.
Commenting on the proposal to join the ministries of culture and
tourism into one ministry, Sanader said that tourism was not only
about sunbathing and swimming, but about becoming acquainted with a
country's cultural heritage too. The integration of the ministries
of labour and economy into one ministry is justified and logical,
because they work on the same problems, Sanader said.
(hina) rml sb