“The strategy is a step forward compared with the existing documents and it is not true that it cost a lot. It was prepared by Croatian experts and we received the money from the EU,” Marko Pavić of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) said in response to criticisms from the opposition during the debate on the document proposed by the government.
Pavić said he was confident that the government would be open to proposals from the opposition, but noted that he had not heard any yet.
Predrag Štromar of the Croatian People’s Party (HNS) said that the strategy is a comprehensive and ambitious document with a precise list of goals to be achieved by 2030.
Veljko Kajtazi, who represents ethnic minorities, welcomed the announcement by the government that it would insist on equal living conditions and equal opportunities for all. He said that one of the biggest challenges over the next decade would be reducing the risk of poverty.
Dragana Jeckov of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) said that negative demographics were among the biggest challenges that needed to be addressed efficiently. She said that the strategy was not just a wish list and that Croatia could become a more competitive country if the goals listed in the strategy were achieved.
