Testimonial from Croatia - (Croatian version)
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CROATIA: ZAGREB: OHIO BOSNIAN PEACE DEAL DEMONSTRATION
Serbo-Croat/Nat
Protestors gathered outside the Croatian parliament in the capital Zagreb on Tuesday to demonstrate their opposition to the Dayton peace deal.
President Franjo Tudjman was due to face the protesters as he arrived for the first session of parliament.
Over 1,500 Croat refugees from Bosanska Posavina, outraged by the peace accord in Dayton which gives Bosnian Serbs control of their ancestral land in north Bosnia, voiced their anger in front of Croatia's parliament in Zagreb on Tuesday.
The demonstrations started as the Croatian parliament went into its opening session after the elections held in October.
The atmosphere in front of the parliament was electric with obvious tension between the police units and the demonstrators.
The demonstrators carried banners which read Shame on you or We want to go home and You betrayed Bosanska Posavina.
Shouting angry slogans, they demanded an answer from politicians on why the Dayton deal was struck.
SOUNDBITE: Croatian
The Dayton agreement is not correct. Its shameful and unjust. Bosanska Posavina has always been a part of Croat territory, historically and ethnically. Two thousand people from that area alone have been killed, thousands injured, and I think the grab for Posavina should not have been signed. This demonstration is a normal reaction.
SUPER CAPTION: Ante Dzapic, Opposition politician,
Police jeeps blocked long, narrow streets that lead to the parliament building from Zagreb's main square, preventing demonstrators from marching through.
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Sightseeing in lively Zagreb, Croatia
Sightseeing in Zagreb, the lively capital of Croatia, will keep you busy for most of a day, with visits to the Croatian National Theater and Opera House, Croatian Parliament and Prime Minister's office, St. Mark’s Square, the Old City, the Stone Gate, and Zagreb Cathedral.
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CROATIA: ZAGREB: PROTESTORS
Serbo-Croat/Nat
XFA
While European leaders assembled in Zagreb to talk of peace and economic development, hundreds of protesters streamed from a railroad station toward the summit building early on Friday morning.
They were brandishing national flags, whistling and chanting.
Police were bracing for trouble Friday from Croatian veterans and other right-wing groups demanding that leaders first atone for war crimes of the past before embarking on reconciliation.
Thousands of protesters were expected to converge at three major squares in downtown Zagreb and then march to the hotel where leaders of the European Union and Balkan countries will meet in their one-day summit.
The protesters demand that Yugoslavia's new president, Vojislav Kostunica, first apologize for atrocities committed by Croatian Serbs loyal to his predecessor, Slobodan Milosevic, during this country's 1991 war for independence from Yugoslavia.
Croatian authorities have tried to discourage a large turnout but have said the veterans will be free to demonstrate as long as they stay outside a security zone around the meeting site.
Waiting for the marchers were about 6-thousand 500 police armed with automatic weapons, including 1-thousand 500 members of special units flown in from across the country who have secured the perimeters of the building.
Police also sealed off streets around the summit site and rerouted traffic.
Several schools in the neighborhood were closed.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
Kostunica is not a friend of Croatia. He has not apologised to us for four years of war. He should jot be here!
SUPER CAPTION: War veteran
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Croatia - Local elections across Croatia
T/I 11:20:15 GS 10:08:51
Voting in crucial local, regional and upper house elections
ended in most of Croatia on Sunday (13/4), but Serbs in Eastern
Slavonia were given an extra day after problems with voter lists
and missing ballots.
Croatian President Franjo Tudjman who cast his vote in Zagreb
welcomed the prospect of Eastern Slavonia returning to
Croatian control.
SHOWS:
VUKOVAR, EASTERN SLAVONIA. 13 APRIL, 1997
0.00 WS people queuing outside voting station
0.04 WS int polling station
0.07 MS officer with election roll
0.10 MS man voting
0.12 MS woman putting voting papers in ballot box
PACETIN, EASTERN SLAVONIA
0.15 MS man assembling ballot box
0.18 CU papers
0.21 WS man assembling ballot box
VUKOVAR
0.23 SOT voter: I was expecting that this elections would be
fair, but they're not. At each polling station they are
problems, that means the Croatian government is just fixing the
elections.
0.34 Dr Vojislav Spanimirovic, leader of the Democratic Serbian
Party, voting
0.41 SOT Peter Galbraith, US ambassador to Croatia: There have
been some problems with polling places that have not opened on
time due to the late arrival of the ballots. But there are also
a large number of poeple who are participating, who lined up to
vote, and I think that's an encouraging sign.
0.59 WS United Nations presser
1.02 SOT UN spokesman Souran Seraydarian: Polling stations
will be opened tomorrow from 10 to 19 to make sure that every
single person will be able to vote.
ZAGREB
1.09 MS President Franjo Tudjman in polling booth
1.15 MS press
1.17 MS Tudjman placing voting papers in ballot box
1.23 CU Tudjman casting vote PULLOUT to Tudjman waving and
leaving
1.28 VISION ENDS
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Croatia - Tujdman's Party: Unfair Advantages
T/I: 10:22:54
Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's ruling Croatian Democratic
Union (HDZ) is the strong favourite to win Sunday's (29/10)
elections for the lower house of Parliament. The opposition parties have been handicapped by the mainly state-run media and face an uphill
struggle to oust a government which has led the country from
communist Yugoslavia to national independence. Tudjman himself is
not up for re-election. But as a charismatic figurehead, his role
of boosting the HDZ campaign has been vital. The HDZ won the first
multi-party elections in 1990 and the first post-independence
elections two years later. It is seen as both nationalist and
right-wing. Tudjman and his party currently enjoy considerable
national popularity because of the Croatian military's recapture
of the Krajina region from rebel Serbs during the summer.
Tudjman's talk of further military action to retake Eastern
Slavonia, the last remaining piece of Croatia still in Serb hands,
if current negotiations for a peaceful hand-back fail have also
helped keep the HDZ at the top of the polls. At an election rally
in the southwestern port city of Rijeka on Wednesday (25/10),
Tudjman was cheered by huge crowds. Shouts of Croatia, Croatia
greeted his pledge to win back Eastern Slavonia by force if
necessary. With 90 percent of Croatia's media controlled by the
HDZ, the country's second largest party, the Croatian Social
Liberal Party (HSLS) has been struggling to win support. It was
banned from making television advertisments earlier this month and
an electoral commission running the polls appears relatively
toothless. The minority Serbian People's Party has also attacked
the Government for engineering the election. Spokesman Veselin
Pejnovic said Serbs would be forced to use a different colour
voting slip which would instantly identify them.
SHOWS:
VARIOUS, CROATIA, 25 OCTOBER,1995/FILE
ZAGREB, OCT 25:
Various election posters on hoardings around Zagreb including
HDZ's which says the right man, the right party at the right
time
top shots of busy Zagreb city centre
trams, people
flag on Parliament building
plaque
pullout to ws parliament building
Slaven Letica, Croatian political analayst, says the voters have
to choose between a totalitarian state or a democracy - the
future is going to be very important for the future of the
state
NEAR ZAGREB, MAY 1995:
military parade after capture of Western Slavonia - Tudjman in
white army uniform reviews troops and vehicles
OKUCANI, SERB HELD-KRAJINA, MAY 5, 1995
victorious croat soldiers on tanks rolling into town
KNIN, AUGUST 1995
Tudjman review victorious troops after capture of Krajina
KNIN, KRAJINA, AUGUST 5, 1995
ws croatian flag atop hill
croat soldier hugging and celebrating
croatian tanks through main street
RIJEKA, OCTOBER 25, 1995
HDZ rally
Tudjman sot saying he is ready to negotiate the peaceful
reintegration of Eastern Slavonia but if this is not possible
he will solve the problem by force
crowd chanting
crowd cheers
Croatian flag is raised
tudjman at attention;
VUKOVAR, CROATIA, NOVEMBER 15, 1991
soldier carrying croatian flag through town
ws vukovar devastation
soldier firing from inside building
tracking shot of devestated town
tank rolling through street
ZAGREB, 25/10
liberal party stand in town centre
Liberal Party secretary Bozo Kovacevic says there are many
obstacles in their way - the party was banned from running its
own commercials on television
banned Liberal Party advert Dosta
Drazen Budisa, Liberal Party leader waves to audience at rally
wide of stage
Serbian National Party spokesman Veselin Pejnovic saying the serbs
would immediately identify them
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Croatian politicians celebrate ahead of final results
SHOTLIST
1. Croatian Prime Minister and leader of Croatian Democratic Union, Ivo Sanader pointing as confetti comes down from the ceiling
2. Various of Sanader with his supporters
3. Walking shot of Sanader being greeted by crowd
4. Various of Sanader's supporters singing
5. Sanders walks through the crowd embracing his supporters
6. Supporters clapping
7. Sanader walking towards podium
8. SOUNDBITE: (Croatian) Ivo Sanader, Croatian Prime Minister and leader of Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ):
We are winning and that is the fact, we want to tell everyone thank you for these elections.
9. Wide of Sanader at podium with media seated in front of him
10. SOUNDBITE: (Croatian) Ivo Sanader, Croatian Prime Minister and leader of Croatian Democratic Union:
We will continue our policies towards the European Union and NATO (Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation), we need to improve the infrastructure of this country and improve the rate of employment. But we are on the right path and we are sure that we are going into right direction.
11. Various of celebrations at HDZ headquarters
12. Social Democratic Party (SDP) headquarters with media gathered around SDP President Zoran Milanovic
13. Milanovic on stage
14. SOUNDBITE: (Croatian) Zoran Milanovic, President of Social Democratic Party in Croatia:
We can only say that we are entering negotiations to form a new government, and unlike our counterparts, we want to keep the celebrations until the final results comes out.
15. Wide of media
STORYLINE
Croatia's ruling conservatives and opposition centre-left Social Democrats were virtually tied in parliamentary elections on Sunday, preliminary results showed.
The two key rivals both appeared short of ensuring the 77 deputies required, and the winner would depend on post election deal making.
Both parties' leaders claimed they would make it and both seem to have a chance. Preliminary results released by the state-run Electoral Commission after about 40 percent of votes were counted showed Prime Minister Ivo Sanader's ruling Croatian Democratic Union slightly leading, projected to finishing polling with 60 deputies.
We are winning, and that is the fact, we want to tell everyone thank you for these elections, he told his supporters in Zagreb.
Sanader added that his party would continue with the pre-elections promises that included policies towards EU and NATO membership, improving the country's infrastructure and reducing unemployment.
The Social Democrats, or SDP, would get 57, according to initial results.
The SDP leader, Zoran Milanovic, was confident too, saying, we are entering negotiations to form a new government, and unlike our counterparts, we want to keep the celebrations until the final results comes out.
Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991 and then fought a war with its rebel Serbs which ended in 1995.
It opened membership talks with the EU in 2005 and now EU officials acknowledge the nation could make it into the bloc in three years and into NATO before that.
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Tusk meets Croatian PM Plenkovic in Zagreb
(19 Nov 2019) Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and European Council President Donald Tusk held a joint news conference on Tuesday ahead of the EPP Congress in Zagreb.
Croatia is to take over the EU presidency from 1 January 2020.
Plenkovic said he earlier presented Tusk with the priorities of Croatia's presidency.
Tusk said after speaking with Plenkovic he felt confident that he was leaving the EU in good hands.
He added that it wouldn't be an easy task for Plenkovic, noting both Brexit negotiations with the UK and the MFF (Europe's multiannual financial framework) deal.
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Eric Clark’s Travel Videos - Zagreb Croatia - Saint Marks Church 1 of the Top 10 Sites
Eric Clark’s Travel Videos - Zagreb Croatia - Saint Marks Church
I am hitting all the top 10 sites in Zagreb. This is one of those sites. = )
From Wikipedia
The Romanesque window found in its south facade is the best evidence that the church must have been built as early as the 13th century as is also the semicircular ground-plan of St. Mary's chapel (later altered).
In the second half of the 14th century, the church was radically reconstructed.[2] It was then turned into a late Gothic church of the three-nave type.
Original Gothic sculptures at the southern portal.
The oldest coat of arms of Zagreb.
Massive round columns support heavy ribbed vaults cut in stone and an air of peace and sublimity characterizes the church interior in its simplicity. The most valuable part of St. Mark's Church is its south portal, considered to be the work of sculptors of the Parler family from Prague (end of the 14th century).
The Gothic composition of the portal consists of fifteen effigies placed in eleven shallow niches. On top are the statues of Joseph and Mary with the infant Jesus, and below them one can see St. Mark and the Lion; the Twelve Apostles are placed on both sides of the portal (four wooden statues replaced the original ones which had been destroyed). In its artistic composition and the number of statues, this portal is the richest and the most valuable Gothic portal in southern Central Europe.
Outside, on the northwest wall of the church lies the oldest coat of arms of Zagreb with the year 1499 engraved in it (the original is kept in the Zagreb City Museum).
On the roof, tiles are laid so that they represent the coat of arms of Zagreb (white castle on red background) and Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia.[3]
As the corner of St. Mark's Square and the present day Street of Ćiril and Metod, was a Town Hall, the seat of the city administration in medieval times. The building has gone through a number of alteration and reconstruction phases, and today this old Town Hall still keeps its doors open for the meetings of the Zagreb City Council.
Andrej Plenković welcomes journalists and presents the ambitious programme of Croatia's presidency
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met on Wednesday (8 January) with a group of 60 Brussels-based journalists on a press trip to Zagreb on the occasion of the inauguration of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Apart from the priorities of the Croatian Presidency which have been highlighted in previous days, Plenković stressed that for his country, there were two major national goals – joining Schengen and the Eurozone.
Plenković, who is experienced in EU affairs, having dealt personally with his country’s EU accession dossier, spoke for 75 minutes with the journalists, replying to their questions in English and in French, two languages he speaks fluently.
The program continues on Thursday with a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel, and on Friday with a joint meeting between the Croatian government and the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen.
Croatia highlights its Schengen and Eurozone ambitions!
In fact, hardly any other country has taken over the presidency facing so many crucial and difficult challenges as Croatia. Its presidency comes at a time of change for the EU, following the elections of a new European Parliament, a new European Commission, and Brexit, with a member state leaving the EU for the first-time in a cloud of uncertainty about its future relations.
Add to this the sudden increase in international tension, which puts EU’s diplomacy to the test, populism in EU member states, uneven economic development, existential climate change, and migration. These are only are some of the challenges listed in Croatia’s programme and facing the EU and its citizens.
In an attempt to prioritize, Croatia has divided its programme into four pillars: A Europe that develops; A Europe that connects; A Europe that protects; and An influential Europe. These four pillars are united in the motto “A strong Europe in a world of challenges”, which summarizes the vision of the EU acting for the benefit of its Member States and its citizens.
Many of the economic issues, including the new European Green Deal, fall under the first pillar. An agreement on EU’s long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021 – 2027, is crucial for achieving EU’s goals and Croatia aims at arriving as swiftly as possible to a comprehensive and balanced solution.
Discussions on the Green Deal and the different actions foreseen to combat climate change will take up much of the time in the coming months. Agriculture is an important policy area in the Green Deal. The Commission plans to present a “Farm to Fork” strategy for a more sustainable food policy. It will also propose that at least 40 % of the agriculture budget will contribute to climate action.
Under the pillar of “A Europe that connects”, Croatia aims at encouraging polices that will strengthen infrastructural connectivity and bring people together through education, culture and sports. Andrassy also highlighted the “Conference on the Future of Europe”, which is expected to be launched soon. “Citizens will have to play a critical role in the conference,” she promised.
As regards what we can expect under “A Europe that protects”, besides fighting terrorism, cyber threats and fake news, the Croatian presidency aims at achieving consensus where it hitherto has been missing, such as a “comprehensive” approach to migration, reforming the common asylum system and a return to the full functioning of Schengen area.
Croatia is also eager to solve the outstanding rule of law issues with Hungary and Poland. Andrassy questioned whether the article 7 process in the EU treaty, which allows the Council to suspend the voting rights of a member state, is effective. She referred to other instruments and wants to initiate a discussion on how to find a way forward.
The pillar “An influential Europe” refers to the, for the time being, dormant enlargement process, relations with the Eastern Partnership countries, and not the least the engagement with third countries, some of them in crisis or pursuing aggressive policies.
A major event will be an EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb in May. Before that, the scenario is to take a positive decision by March on starting accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. The negotiations were blocked last year by France despite the Commission’s favourable opinion. However, such a decision does not imply that negotiations will start immediately.
Keenly aware of the mounting tension in the Middle East and the complexities in the relations with Iran, Andrassy said the issues required more meetings than planned. The Croatian presidency is in close contact with Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, on finding a way to prevent an escalation of the situation.
#eudebates
#Croatia
#Schengen
#Plenković
#Balkans
Zagreb, Croatia - Travel Around The World | Top best places to visit in Zagreb
Top best places to visit in Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia.
Zagreb is known locally as Little Vienna because of the mix of cafe-culture, Austria-Hungarian architecture, neo-Gothic cathedrals and medieval old town.
Ban Jelacic Square, named after Croatian military hero, is the central and the largest square of the city.
It is located at the boundaries of the Upper Town... and the Lower Town.
In the Upper Town is the Zagreb Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church and the tallest and the most monumental sacral building in Croatia.
But the Stone Gate is the most significant oath site in town.
Inside the gate is the portrait of Mary with baby Jesus which is said to be sacred, because it is the only thing that survived the great fire in 1731.
Near the Stone Gate is situated St Mark’s Church. One of the oldest structures in Zagreb stands on the square surrounded by the government edifices.
St Catherine Church is another important landmark in the Upper Town, and next to it is the Lotrscak Tower.
From this fortified construction, which dates to the 13th century, is a very nice view of the city.
The core of the center of Lower Town is a U-shaped system of city squares with parks.
The green horseshoe is home to several organizations and museums, such as:
A gallery hosting major city exhibitions, the Art Pavilion.
A notable national collage, the Academy of Sciences and Arts.
A world famous cultural institution, the Archaeological Museum.
Built for passengers of the Orient Express train, the Esplanade Hotel.
The central archival system in the country, the Croatian State Archives.
A place with a great art collection, the Mimara Museum.
The National Theater, a venue for theater, opera and ballet.
The Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Academy of Music.
A good place to go to get bird’s eye view of the city is the Zagreb Eye, an observation deck and a bar.
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Intro & Outro:
CROATIA: PREPARATIONA FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Eng/Serbo-Croat/Nat
Croatia is busy preparing for municipal elections on Sunday.
It will be the first time Serbs vote in Croatia since they rebelled against the republic's secession from Yugoslavia in 1991.
The elections will be crucial in setting up local co-government in the region - a key test of the ability of Serbs and Croats to bury their hatreds and live together again.
Meanwhile, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman has held his final election rally in the capital Zagreb.
About 150-thousand Serbs live in the area known as eastern Slavonia on Croatia's far eastern border with Serbia.
On Sunday, it will be the first time Serbs vote in Croatia since they rebelled against the republic's secession from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Serbs captured about one-third of Croatian territory during the war, but Croatian troops retook most of it in offensives in 1995.
Eastern Slavonia was placed under U-N administration and is to return to Croatian government rule in July.
The elections are crucial to establishing local co-government of the region, which will be a key test of the ability of Serbs and Croats to bury their hatreds and suspicions and live together again.
One local official was optimistic.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I am sure that these are the last elections when displaced persons are going to vote as displaced persons, and not only this, but I truly believe that this is the last time that we are going to have displaced persons in our beautiful country.
SUPER CAPTION: Nada Arbanas, Head of regional Croat government office for refugees and displaced people
So far, more than 150-thousand people have registered to vote in the region.
They include local Serbs, Croatian refugees like these in a camp near Osijek who will vote in absentia, and Serb refugees from other parts of Croatia.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
I'm very happy about the elections and the voting because after that we're going home, but he can wait for us there. (Referring to Serb who is living in her house in Serb held territory)
SUPER CAPTION: Katica Vlahovic, Displaced person from Eastern Slavonia
About 3-thousand Serbs have left the region ahead of the elections to hear the results elsewhere, apparently fearing possible reprisals after Croatian rule is restored.
At a U-N checkpoint at the crossing into Eastern Slavonia, soldiers carefully monitor the traffic prior to the election.
At the main square in Zagreb Friday evening, Croatia's ruling party, the Croatian Democratic Union, held its final pre-election rally.
Some 2-thousand people gathered to hear Croatian President Franjo Tudjman speak.
Tudjman told the crowd there had been those who had not wanted an independent Croatia, but who had had to accept the reality of one because of the determination of the Croatian people.
He promised to take his rule all the way to Vukovar in Eastern Slavonia.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
I have already been to Vukovar as the Croat president, and I will lead you there as I did to Knin and Split.
SUPER CAPTION: Franjo Tudjman, Croatian President and leader of Croatian Democratic Union
From midnight Friday, an electoral silence was enforced throughout Croatia, lasting until midnight Sunday.
Polling stations will be open all day Sunday, with the first unofficial results expected early Monday.
Here in Vukovar, in eastern Slavonia, the Serbs drove away Croat residents and nearly levelled the city when they took it in November 1991.
In Vukovar on Friday, U-N administrator Jacques Klein said that for Croatia, Eastern Slavonia was like an anchor holding it back from moving into Europe.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Jacques Klein, U.N. administrator
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Croatia in Brief | European Nation | Republic of Croatia
Officially the Republic of Croatia is a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, on the Adriatic Sea. Its capital is Zagreb. Its area is 56.6 thousand square kilometres. Its population is 4.3 million mostly Roman Catholics.
The Croats arrived in the area in the 6th century. They organised the state into two duchies by the 9th century. Tomislav became the first king by 925, elevating Croatia to the status of a kingdom. The Kingdom of Croatia retained its sovereignty for nearly two centuries, reaching its peak during the rule of Kings Petar Krešimir IV and Dmitar Zvonimir. Croatia entered a personal union with Hungary in 1102. In 1527, faced with Ottoman conquest, the Croatian Parliament elected Ferdinand I of the House of Habsburg to the Croatian throne. During the early 19th century, parts of the country were split into the French Illyrian Provinces while Austria-Hungary occupied its Bosnia and Herzegovina side–a dispute settled by the 1878 Treaty of Berlin. In 1918, after World War I, Croatia was included in the unrecognized State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs which seceded from Austria-Hungary and merged into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Following the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia, most of the Croatian territory was incorporated into the Nazi-backed client-state which led to the development of a resistance movement and creation of the Federal State of Croatia which after the war become a founding member and a federal constituent of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. On 25 June 1991, Croatia declared independence, which came wholly into effect on 8 October of the same year. The Croatian War of Independence was fought successfully for four years following the declaration.
Croatia is a republic governed under a parliamentary system and a developed country with a very high standard of living. Croatia is a member of the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe, NATO, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean. As an active participant in the UN peacekeeping forces, Croatia has contributed troops to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and took a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008–2009 term. Since 2000, the Croatian government has constantly invested in infrastructure, especially transport routes and facilities along the Pan-European corridors.
Croatia's economy is dominated by service and industrial sectors and agriculture. Tourism is a significant source of revenue, with Croatia ranked among top 20 most popular tourist destinations in the world. The state controls a part of the economy, with substantial government expenditure. The European Union is Croatia's most important trading partner. Croatia provides a social security, universal health care system, and a tuition-free primary and secondary education, while supporting culture through numerous public institutions and corporate investments in media and publishing.
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ICTY - Slobodan Praljak’s Courtroom Suicide Anniversary Marked in Croatia
A year after former Bosnian Croat military official Slobodan Praljak took poison in the Hague Tribunal courtroom, the anniversary of his death is being commemorated in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Several events are being held in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday and Friday to commemorate the death of former Bosnian Croat general Slobodan Praljak, a year after he swallowed poison in the courtroom while the verdict finding him guilty of war crimes was being read out.
Most of the events are taking places in Catholic Church venues, including the premiere of a play entitled ‘I, Slobodan Praljak’, which will be staged at a Herzegovinian Franciscan monastery in Zagreb.
The one-handed play was written by university professor, writer and columnist Slobodan Prosperov Novak, and will be performed by actor Bozidar Alic. Both are known for their conservative political views and have said that they considered Praljak a friend.
Prosperov Novak told Hrvatski tjednik that the play is an attempt to look at the “cognitive drama of a brilliant mind, a man who has been comprehensively educated, achieved [success] in many areas, a true ‘homo universalis’, and has resorted to such an act”.
Alic meanwhile has described Praljak as a “Croatian martyr”.
In Zagreb on Friday evening, a mass will be held in honour of Praljak at the Holy Mother of Liberty church in Zagreb.
Earlier that day, a panel discussion will be held at the national cultural institution, Matica Hrvatska, focusing on the verdict that convicted Praljak and five other Bosnian Croat political and military officials in November 2017.
“His [Praljak’s] sacrifice, contempt and resentment for the Hague Tribunal obliges us to reexamine historical, political and legal facts in order to establish the truth,” says the invitation to the discussion.
Among the speakers will be Miroslav Tudjman, an MP from the governing Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, who is the son of the first Croatian president, Franjo Tudjman.
Praljak and the five other wartime officials of the unrecognised Croat-led statelet of Herzeg-Bosnia were also convicted last year of participating in a joint criminal enterprise with Franjo Tudjman and other senior Croatian officials with the aim of persecuting Bosniaks.
In the town of Grude in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Herzeg-Bosnia statelet and the Bosnian Croat wartime force, the Croatian Defence Council, were founded during wartime, a mass and prayers will be held in Praljak’s honour at a Catholic church on Thursday.
St. Mark's Church and Croatian Parliament (Biserica Sf Marcu si Parlamentul Croat)
Biserica Sf Marcu este inconjurata de cladirile Parlamentului Croat.
Croatian Parliament is around the St. Mark's Church.
dorulcalator.ro
Croatia - Galbraith Condemns Serb Attack On Zagreb
T/I: 10:26:57
In retaliation for the Croatian offensive, rebel Serbs on Tuesday
(2/5) fired five missiles on Zagreb, killing five people and wounding
another 134. Authorities promptly closed much of the bustling city
and on Wednesday many schools remained shut. While some pedestrian
and vehicular traffic resumed, many residents are convinced that
further Serb attacks will follow. U.S. Ambassador to Croatia,
Peter Galbraith, criticised the Serb attack on Zagreb as
disproportionate and unjustified.
SHOWS:
ZAGREB 2-3/5
ZAGREB 2/5
U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, Peter Galbraith saying that attacks in
Croatia were Serb cluster bombs and sending them into centre of
European capital is vile and repugnant act and a potentially
dangerous escalation of the war
ZAGREB 3/5
Exterior of school
Empty classroom
Broken glass being swept away
Exterior of school building showing broken windows
crater made by shell in playground and pan up to pock-marked
building
People on street
Man clearing entrance to his shop
shattered back window of car
SOT man saying he was crossing the street when the explosion
occurred and he heard the shelling and ran into the cellar and
when shooting finished he ran home and fortunately nothing had
happened to his family, but he saw dead and injured people and it
was quite frightening
Trams on street
Woman saying she is afraid but has to go to work
People crossing the road
3.01
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Croatia - Tujdman's Party Set To Win Elections
T/I: 11:11:58
Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's ruling Croatian Democratic
Union (HDZ) is the strong favourite to win Sunday's (29/10)
elections for the lower house of Parliament. A lacklustre
opposition, missing any united or charismatic leadership, is
expected to fare badly in the polls. Tudjman himself is
not up for re-election. But as a charismatic figurehead, his role
of boosting the HDZ campaign has been vital. At an election rally
in the southwestern port city of Rijeka on Wednesday (25/10),
Tudjman was cheered by huge crowds. Shouts of Croatia, Croatia
greeted his pledge to win back Eastern Slavonia by force if
necessary. With 90 percent of Croatia's media controlled by the
HDZ, the country's second largest party, the Croatian Social
Liberal Party (HSLS) has been struggling to win support.
SHOWS:
CROATIA, 25/10
RIJEKA, 25/10
0.00 announcement of tudjman at rally; walks onto stage;
cheer (ends 0.05)
0.12 crowd
0.14 ms tudjman at podium speaking
0.17 cutaway poster
0.20 cu tudjman speaking
0.25 upsot chanting crowd
ZAGREB, 25/10
0.27 ws square
0.31 hdz campaign poster
MAY 1995
0.34 military parade marching down street
0.38 tudjman in attendance
0.42 police cars and bikes
KNIN, AUGUST 1995
0.45 tudjman inspecting troops on parade
0.52 upsot command
ZAGREB, 25/10
0.55 ws liberal party man at table
0.58 pan flag to candidate
1.04 ws flags in street
1.07 tv campaign dosta
1.14 liberal candidates walking in
RIJEKA, 25/10
1.20 croatian flag is raised
1.28 tudjman standing to attention with hand on heart
1.34 ENDS
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City Zagreb, Croatia: City of Zagreb from Perspective of Regular Tourist
City Zagreb, Croatia: City of Zagreb from Perspective of Regular Tourist
The city of Zagreb, capital of Croatia, on the historic and political threshold between East and West, illustrates both the continental and Mediterranean spirit of the nation it spearheads. Zagreb is the cultural, scientific, economic, political and administrative centre of the Republic of Croatia, and is home to the Croatian Parliament, Government and President. Its favourable location between the Pannonian plain, the edge of the Alps and the Dinaric range has allowed it to become a crossing point for mass international communication.
The city is protected from the cold northern winds by the mountain of Medvednica and opens up to the rest of the world thanks to a spacious plain and the Sava river. Zagreb, with a population of nearly one million, contains almost a quarter of the entire population of Croatia. Over the centuries, the city was inhabited by people coming from all over Europe; and, in recent years, by people coming from different parts of Croatia, ensuring a rich cultural life. Zagreb is a safe city whose doors are always open; a city with a tumultuous history teeming with interesting personalities;
a city that warmly invites all those who wish to get to know it, and a city that will surely fulfill your expectations. In this city, you can easily meet remarkable people, make new friends and enjoy special moments. The façades of Zagreb’s buildings reflect the ebb and flow of history, while its streets and squares bear witness to the coming together of the many cultures that have shaped the identity of this laid-back capital. The best thing to do is when you first arrive is to take in Zagreb’s wonderful atmosphere, which, as many claim, is only surpassed by the legendary beauty of the local women folk.
travelpongo.com
2020 Croatian EU Presidency decorations in Brussels
Update of the installation and general views of the 2020 Croatian EU Presidency decorations at the Justus Lipsius building of the Council. #Croatia #eudebates #EU
A strong Europe in a world of challenges
Over the next six months the European Union will need the determination, the unity and the energy that Croatians are famous for, said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission at the European Parliament plenary debate on the programme of the Croatian Presidency, on 14 January. Last week, the College of Commissioners attended the inauguration of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Zagreb.
Croatia has taken over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union as of 1 January 2020, the country's first time to be in this role since joining the European Union in 2013. The priorities of the Croatian Presidency – a Europe that develops; a Europe that connects; a Europe that protects; and an influential Europe - coincide with the priorities of the von der Leyen Commission, which will allow the two institutions to work closely together.
In her speech before the European Parliament, President von der Leyen reflected on how far and how fast Croatia has grown since its independence, and said we would need that sort of unity and determination to find common solutions to the challenges ahead of us.
“The Presidency's motto says: We need a strong Europe in a world of challenges. And indeed, it is true that the challenges around us are becoming louder, and more dangerous and more intensive by the day”, she said reminding at the same time of the diplomatic strength of the European Union and its ability to focus on dialogue and de-escalation.
“Now is also the time for Europe to be more assertive on the global stage. To strengthen our position as the trading power of the world. To deepen our relationship with NATO and take more responsibility on ourselves. To build an alliance with Africa that can stand the test of time and help boost both of our economies”, von der Leyen outlined.
She continued to underline that the next six months would also be crucial for the EU's relations with the Western Balkans. “If we want the Western Balkans summit in Zagreb to be a success, we have to do our homework now. That is a reason why we will put forward our enlargement methodology in a few weeks”, she announced.
“The most important part is to give our friends in the Western Balkans a perspective for beginning the accession talks with North Macedonia, with Albania. They have done their homework we have asked them to do, so it is time to give them a real perspective to move on now.“
Thank you so much, Andrej.
Thank you very much for being such a splendid host. Thank you for the evening yesterday with the concert and today this library.
This is a historic moment for Croatia, because it is the very first time that Croatia is taking the EU Presidency. And it comes at a very special moment for the new Commission because you are the Presidency of our first 100 days. So our success also depends on your success. And thank you very much for the excellent talks we have had over the last weeks but also today.
Last but not least, we have been briefly discussing Brexit. I was on Wednesday in London to meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It is important that it is a very clear message from our side: We want to stay good friends, good neighbours and partners. It is the story of old friends and new beginnings. We have to find a good balance between divergence and being close to the Single Market. We both agree that the European Union and the United Kingdom share common values. We have many interests in common. And it was very good to hear again that it is very clear that we will have a very close cooperation on the global stage when it comes to topics like for example climate change – the United Kingdom is as dedicated as the European Union on that topic – or for example security. But of course, we have been very clear on the second topic, too, which is access to the Single Market. There is a difference of being a Member State or not – and there are trade-offs between regulatory divergences on the one side, and access to the Single Market. This room has now to be explored in the coming negotiations. In June, we will take stock of the progress. And this will be an essential milestone falling under the Croatian Presidency, too.
So I am glad that I can count on your energy and your dedication, Andrej.
Thank you very much.