Lawmakers debate bill on relations with Croats abroad

Lawmakers debated on Wednesday the final draft of a bill defining Croatia's relationship with Croats living abroad. 

The proposed legislation would transfer some responsibilities from the Central State Office for Croats Abroad to the newly formed Ministry of Demographics and Immigration.

“We are proposing new measures aimed at making the environment for return and immigration more hospitable, as well as measures regulating residency for immigrants and returnees, and members of the Croatian diaspora without Croatian citizenship,” said Zvonko Milas, the State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.

While opposition MPs criticized the government's efforts to encourage the return of Croats to their homeland, the Office reports that more than 10,000 people return to Croatia each year.

 “The government's "I Choose Croatia" campaign has not yielded any significant results. Only 814 applications have been approved by March this year,” said Most MP Ivica Ledenko.

“I don't think that's a small number, nor do I think that 800 or so people who accepted it are insignificant. In fact, I think it's a good signpost for everyone else,” Milas replied.

SDP MP Sabina Glasovac wanted more details on the government’s strategy.

“Is there a strategy that you want to apply? Attracting the descendants of our emigrants? I don't mean from our close neighborhood, but from Canada, South America, Australia?” she asked.

“That's why we've introduced this special enrollment quota, where descendants of Croats can come and study without having to take the state high school graduation exam and having the rights that all other students in Croatia have,” said Milas referring to the new college quota for students from the diaspora.