Plenković: Demagogues are attacking the EU, the numbers say otherwise

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković strongly condemned the new Russian attacks on Ukraine and said that after 13 years of membership in the EU, Croatia recorded a net benefit of 21.3 billion euros. He also pointed out that inflation continues to slow down, announced further support for citizens and the economy and an increase in financial aid to Caritas.

Condemnation of new Russian attacks on Ukraine

At the beginning of the Government session, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković strongly condemned the new Russian attacks on Ukraine, which hit numerous civilian buildings in several cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Cherkasy and Zaporizhia.

“We saw everything that happened last night. Attacks on civilian buildings, in which there were numerous civilian victims, deserve the strongest condemnation and we condemn them once again,” said the Prime Minister.

Croatia in the EU achieved a plus of 21.3 billion euros

Reflecting on the 13th anniversary of Croatia's membership in the European Union, Plenković pointed out that membership has brought the country development opportunities and enabled the implementation of numerous projects that would have been implemented much more slowly without European funds.

“In these 13 years, Croatia has achieved a plus of 21.3 billion euros compared to the funds it has paid into the European budget and the funds it has received. This clearly shows how beneficial membership in the European Union is for Croatia,” he said.

He added that it was European funds that enabled the reconstruction of areas affected by earthquakes.

“Today, we have reached almost five billion euros in investment in reconstruction, of which about three billion euros in Zagreb and two billion euros in Banovina. All the figures show that membership in the European Union is good for Croatia,” he emphasized.

"Croatia belongs to the Western civilization circle"

The Prime Minister said that the Government will continue to advocate a strong European orientation for Croatia.

“Croatia should be part of the European Union in the security, economic, development and legal sense. In the past 13 years, we have achieved deeper integration by entering the euro area and the Schengen area, and we are nearing the end of the process of joining the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,” he said.

He added that he regrets that Croatia's membership in the European Union is no longer a topic on which there is a broad political consensus.

“It's good to know where we belong. Unfortunately, in our political space it is less and less a matter of consensus, and more and more of petty politics, demagoguery and populism. Democracy means that everyone should be heard, not just demagogues,” Plenković concluded.

Inflation is slowing down, the Government expects to approach the EU average

The Prime Minister pointed out that the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics show a continued slowdown in inflation.

“Inflation in June was 4.5 percent on an annual basis, which is less than in May, when it was 5.2 percent, or in April, when it was 5.8 percent. We believe that this is a good trend,” Plenković said.

He added that the gradual stabilization of the security conditions in the Middle East and the drop in the prices of oil, oil derivatives, gas and other raw materials create preconditions for a further easing of inflationary pressures.

“We will continue to protect citizens and the economy, and we expect that at the beginning of next year we will be within the framework of the average inflation rate of the European Union,” he said.

Greater support to Caritas and continued investment in centers for the elderly

Plenković reported that the Government had signed an addendum to the agreement with Caritas of the Catholic Church in Croatia, which increases financial support for activities aimed at the most vulnerable groups in society.

“We are increasing financial support for activities that Caritas provides to the sick, the poor and people with disabilities. We believe that this is an important part of the dialogue between the Government and the Croatian Bishops' Conference,” said the Prime Minister, thanking Minister Marin Piletić and his associates for the implementation of the project.

He also commented on the opening of the Center for the Elderly in Đurđevac, emphasizing that this is the fifth such center opened in the last month and a half, after Voćin, Našice, Medulin and Dubrovnik.

He announced that centers in Lobor, Grubišno Polje and Duga Resa will soon be opened, adding that the Government plans to continue implementing all 18 projects intended for the care of the elderly by the end of the year.

Regional Development Council Session in Đakovo

The Prime Minister announced that the Government will hold a session of the Regional Development Council in Đakovo on Friday, a traditional meeting with county prefects, representatives of cities and municipalities.

The agenda will include topics related to regional development, a new financial perspective, affordable housing and legislative proposals in the field of hospitality.

During their stay in Osijek-Baranja County, the members of the Government will also visit Archbishop Đuro Hranić, the Roma settlement in Darda, the opening of the Creative Children's Center in Ernestinovo and the new sports hall in Korođ, a project financed for the Hungarian national minority. The visit will end with participation in the 60th edition of the “Đakovački Vezovi” festival of folk and tradition.

Source: HRT