ZAGREB, July 28, 2018 – Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Gabrijela Žalac signed in Pula contracts worth 100 million kuna for the renovation of the local natural heritage, the procurement of eco-friendly buses and the construction of a hospice in the northern Adriatic port, of which 49 million kuna comes from EU funds.
Žalac told the press EU grants contributed to an even development of all Croatian regions. She said these contracts were financially valuable in the context of EU funds as well as the state budget and that the projects in question were important also for tourism.
Istria County Prefect Valter Flego said sustainable development, including with regard to the natural heritage, was a county priority. He said he and Žalac discussed future projects, notably in rural development, and that projects were under way for Croatia-Slovenia and Croatia-Italy cross-border cooperation programmes.
“Istria wants to develop sustainable tourism and have maintained areas, and in protected areas there’s still lots of room for improving and organising the stay of foreigners as well as the local population,” said Flego.
Žalac also commented for the press on statements from the MOST opposition party that the government’s new islands bill brought nothing new, saying MOST MPs should first learn to read the budget.
