PM Kosor invites Turkish to invest in Croatia

The Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor has presented 30 investment projects and invited Turkish businessmen to invest in Croatia as a prelude to the economic forum which the two countries are planning for next month.During the two day official visit, the PM met with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders discussed the investment possibilities and cooperation in transportation and tourism.PM Kosor thanked Turkey for its support of Croatia in its bid to join the European Union, the daily Vecernji List writes.The trade between the two countries fell by close to 100 million dollars last year due

Sanader allegedly bought coalition partner with Fimi-Media money

Former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has allegedly used controversial Fimi-Media money to "buy" a coalition partner, Barisic and Jurak's testimonies reveal.Sanader is said to have paid half a million kunas (67,376 Euros) to the now-former official of a parliamentary party. If proven true, the information could bring into question the regularity of the 2007 elections.The testimonies of the former Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) politician Mladen Barisic and the owner of PR company Fimi-Media Nevenka Jurak have implicated several public figures, including Sanader.The local media has reported Barisic's claim that he had given Sanader 30 million kunas (4.04 million Euros)

Croatian and Israeli posts sign agreement on technical cooperation

The Croatian and Israeli postal services have signed an agreement on technical cooperation aimed at helping to modernize Croatian Post's business processes.The cooperation forms part of the second phase of the restructuring process that would equip the national postal service to face the complete liberalization of the market, expected for January 2013.In 2008, the Croatian Post had established a development strategy that started the restructuring process, which focused on the optimization of the workforce and streamlining the county divisions.Since 2009, the company has decreased the number of its employees by 1,800. At the same time it implemented a new division

Goran Ivanisevic denied he went shopping without money

Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has denied the news that he went shopping in Salzburg, Austria without money or a credit card."We were not shopping at all. I was in Salzburg shortly. We have arrived from Zagreb, Croatia, I've had a news conference, met some friends, played a match and we returned home. Tatjana did not go shopping either, as she was with me", Goran Ivanisevic was quoted as saying to Croatian tabloid 24 Sata."I was shocked with the news spread in Austrian media", the tennis star has added.Daily newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten reported on Monday that Austrian businessman had to

Massive ski lift pass price hikes uncovered

Croats heading to Austria for skiing holidays will face the increased lift prices at many ski resorts, Austrian Times has reported.The lift prices in Austrian ski resorts have soared by well over 10 per cent during the past four years, a survey has shown.Consumer information magazine Konsument found that only a few of the checked skiing regions had increased lift pass prices below the inflation rate. Konsument revealed rates at most resorts rose twice as much as the inflation rate between the 2006/2007 season and the current winter period.The magazine explained that the consumer price index – which considers certain

New fiscal responsibility law asks for more transparency in public funds spending

The Croatian Parliament is currently reviewing new legislation aimed at making the spending of the public funds more transparent and orderly.

The new law on fiscal responsibility would oblige leaders of every institution that receives state money to submit a detailed yearly statement to the Ministry of Finances showing that the funds had been used as allocated and in accordance with the law.

The new regulations could also affect the Croatian Catholic Church, which has not submitted any such reports in the past 12 years, even though it receives state funding. The fourth agreement between Croatia and the Holy See

Right wing party demands 'truth about the missing' from Serbian government

Some fifty members of the right-wing Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) dr. Ante Starcevic gathered on Saturday in front of the Serbian embassy in Zagreb demanding the truth about Croatia's missing people.Under the slogan "tell us the truth about the disappeared, you know it" the group called on to the Serbian government to give information they say they hold about the 1,024 Croatians still missing from the war."The Yugoslav National Army (JNA) took away over 7,000 people," said one of the protesters. Out of those thousands, 264 were taken to Ovcara near Vukovar where 200 were executed. Sixty-four people just

Fifth 'Days of Croatian Film' festival opens in Vienna

The fifth "Days of Croatian Film" (Dani hrvatskog filma) festival opened in Vienna's Urania cinema on Thursday.At the opening ceremony, the former Croatian president Stjepan Mesic welcomed the idea of the festival and the cultural link it provides with Austria, Europe and beyond. The festival opened with the showing of Zrinko Ogresta's film "Iza stakla" (Behind the Glass)."We have excellent cinematography, but it is not that known in the world despite its quality," said Mesic, adding that one of the barriers to greater success is the small language market.The film festival showcases Croatian movies, documentaries and short films dealing with

Low budget carriers present tough competition for Croatia Airlines

Low-budget companies flying out of Zagreb's Pleso Airport may affect Croatia Airlines' traffic with overlapping destinations, some critics have warned.EasyJet and Norwegian Air both serve destinations already covered by Croatia Airlines, the daily Vecernji List writes.Some critics have warned that the logic behind introducing low-cost airlines is flawed, with most thinking that they would attract a higher number of passengers. In reality, they only take clients from existing companies, they say.Croatia Airlines have already threatened to curb flights to Paris, London, and Copenhagen, or destinations that the other companies are now covering. The company's contributions make 65 per cent of

Croatian World Congress in Austria elects new executive committee

The Croatian World Congress in Austria elected its new executive committee last Saturday at a meeting held in Vienna.Rade Lukic from Graz was elected president, while Ana Petrovic from Innsbruck and Ivan Roncevic from Vienna will serve as vice presidents.Lukic was born in 1963 in Split and is an interpreter in Austria, as well as the president of the Austrian-Croatian Initiative in Graz.HSK is an umbrella organization of all Croatians and Croatian institutions that work outside of the homeland with goals to safeguard Croatian national identity, language, culture, customs and everything else that makes Croatians recognizable regardless of the continent

Zagreb mayor introduces changes to subsidies

The mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandic has decided to reduce social welfare subsidies, affecting public transportation, pensions and other subventions.Many people will no longer be able to ride public transport for free. New categories based on income threshold census will determine the subsidies, the portal Dalje writes.Benefits for retired people, nursery and kindergarten children, students and the newborn will also be affected.The City's 2011 budget will be 6.79 billion kunas (918.5 milllion Euros) or 1.65 per cent more than this year's rebalanced budget.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Former judge sentenced to jail for abuse of power

The former judge and president of the Municipal Court in Gvozd (Sisak-Moslavina County, Croatia) Zvonimir Josipovic has become the first judge to be sentenced to jail in Croatia.Josipovic has been tried in absence on charges of abuse of position and power, and sentenced to 4.5 years in jail.He fled to Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) where his brother – former Olympic boxing champion Anton Josipovic – currently lives.Josipovic had complained about irregularities in the procedure, including not having received the summons. These claims have been disputed by the court, the daily Jutarnji List writes.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Woman threatens to blow up couple with bomb

The police had detained the 59-year-old Kata B. from Kastel Sucurac (Dalmatia) for threatening to blow up a couple with a bomb unless they pay back alleged debt.She had come to the door of Jadranko and Meire J. in order to "deliver a warning" that unless they pay back the 1,000 kunas (135 Euros) that they allegedly owe to her daughter, she would throw the bomb at them.She then turned around and left, while the couple reported her to the police. The police soon found her walking down the street. Upon seeing the officers, however, Kata started to threaten with

EU confirms receipt of Sanader´s complaint of political persecution

The head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia Paul Vandoren has confirmed that the former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader had complained of being a victim of political persecution at home.Sanader had written to the President of the European Commission Jose Manual Barroso during the G20 meeting in Seul, Vandoren said. The letter was not a priority at the moment, however, and its details will be discussed in the next days."Every citizen has the right to decide how he will defend himself," said Vandoren. "The former PM Sanader came to the conclusion that the needs

Podravka begins goulash production in U.S.A.

Croatian food manufacturer Podravka has started the production of its beef goulash in the American city of Richmond, Michigan this Thursday.

The delicacy – already avaialbe in numerous European countries and Australia -  will be produced according to the original company recipe.

Podravka has partnered up with Giovanni Appetizing Foods that is already producing the company's pates for the American market.  The company's officials are very satisfied with the sales that have surpassed the expectations, the daily Vecernji List writes.

The Director of Podravka's offices for America and Canada Domagoj Kero reminds that the US Food and Drug Administration had

SOS children's village hosts fairy tale marathon

The SOS Children's Village Lekenik will be hosting a fairy tale marathon starting this Saturday, 12 pm.

"The Millenium reading of fairy tales" is aimed as both the big and small, the organizers said, inviting also adults to revisit their childhood's favorite stories.

The reading of fairy tales will start at 12pm and end at the same hour the following day.

The event that takes place this year at"Hermann Gmeiner" center, had attracted some 500 readers, children and grownups last year.  Many public personalities from cultural fields, sports and political life are expected to join the kids, the daily Vecernji List writes.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Somalian pirates kidnap another Croatian sailor

Somalian pirates have kidnapped a Panamanian boat and its entire crew, including a sailor from Croatia.According the European Union Naval Forces (NAVFOR), in the early morning on Thursday Somalian pirates kidnapped "Hannibbal II" ship carrying plant oil and sailing under the Panama flag from Malaysia to Suez in Egypt.Among the 32 crew members is aCroatian sailor whose identity has not yet been disclosed. The majority of the crew members are from Tunisia (23) and four are from the Philipines. In addition to the one Croatian sailor, there is a Russian, Georgian and Moroccan on board.The attack took place some 860

Netherland´s far-right against Croatia´s EU accession

The president of Netherlands's Party for Freedom (PVV) has told the German magazine Der Spiegel that he would oppose further European Union enlargement and would vote against Croatia's accession.The far-right leader Geert Wilders said that his party would vote against any future candidate states be they Muslim or Christian."My party rejects any form of European Union expansion. We will vote against all candidates, including Croatia. The government will have to look for a majority on these issues elsewhere."The right-wing populist's platform is largely based on anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic sentiment. He is currently preparing for a trial, accused of having spread

Turkish cult soap opera couple in Zagreb

The stars of the Turkish soap opera "1,001 Nights" that has taken Croatia by storm are in Zagreb filming a commercial for Croatia's Agrokor Group.One of the protagonists of the most-watched TV show in Croatia, Halit Ergenc, arrived in the country's capital on Sunday. His wife and series' co-star Bergazur Korel – better known as Scheherazade – is expected on Tuesday.The couple will then start filming the commercial on Wednesday, the Croatian media reports.The 40-year-old Ergenc - who media have dubbed the Turkish Brad Pitt - seemed caught off guard by the photographers' ambush at the Ljubljana (Slovenia) airport where

Turkish cult soap opera couple in Zagreb

The stars of the Turkish soap opera "1,001 Nights" that has taken Croatia by storm are in Zagreb filming a commercial for Croatia's Agrokor Group.One of the protagonists of the most-watched TV show in Croatia, Halit Ergenc, arrived in the country's capital on Sunday. His wife and series' co-star Bergazur Korel – better known as Scheherazade – is expected on Tuesday.The couple will then start filming the commercial on Wednesday, the Croatian media reports.The 40-year-old Ergenc - who media have dubbed the Turkish Brad Pitt - seemed caught off guard by the photographers' ambush at the Ljubljana (Slovenia) airport where

Turkish cult soap opera couple in Zagreb

The stars of the Turkish soap opera "1,001 Nights" that has taken Croatia by storm are in Zagreb filming a commercial for Croatia's Agrokor Group.One of the protagonists of the most-watched TV show in Croatia, Halit Ergenc, arrived in the country's capital on Sunday. His wife and series' co-star Bergazur Korel – better known as Scheherazade – is expected on Tuesday.The couple will then start filming the commercial on Wednesday, the Croatian media reports.The 40-year-old Ergenc - who media have dubbed the Turkish Brad Pitt - seemed caught off guard by the photographers' ambush at the Ljubljana (Slovenia) airport where

Mega shopping center opens in Zagreb

The mega shopping area Arena Centar opened its doors yesterday (Thu) to the throngs of VIP customers who rushed to get a sneak peak at some of the world-famous brands now in Croatia for the first time.Massimo Dutti, Zara Home and GAP are some of the newcomers to the Croatian market, the daily Jutarnji List writes.The new centre located in Croatia's capital Zagreb is one of the largest regional investments totalling 350 million Euros. It was built by the Hungarian company TriGranit in a record 15 months.At the ceremonial opening, the finance minister Djuro Popijac said that the success of

Mega shopping center opens in Zagreb

The mega shopping area Arena Centar opened its doors yesterday (Thu) to the throngs of VIP customers who rushed to get a sneak peak at some of the world-famous brands now in Croatia for the first time.Massimo Dutti, Zara Home and GAP are some of the newcomers to the Croatian market, the daily Jutarnji List writes.The new centre located in Croatia's capital Zagreb is one of the largest regional investments totalling 350 million Euros. It was built by the Hungarian company TriGranit in a record 15 months.At the ceremonial opening, the finance minister Djuro Popijac said that the success of

Croat rock star Dado Topic to perform in Toronto

Croatian rock star Dado Topic will perform in Toronto, Canada on Saturday 6 November.The concert will take place in Toronto's The Operahouse."It has been a life long dream to play rock and roll in Toronto", Dado Topic has said about his first ever concert in Toronto.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Croat rock star Dado Topic to perform in Toronto

Croatian rock star Dado Topic will perform in Toronto, Canada on Saturday 6 November.The concert will take place in Toronto's The Operahouse."It has been a life long dream to play rock and roll in Toronto", Dado Topic has said about his first ever concert in Toronto.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

PM Kosor awarded Glamour Magazine´s 'Women of the Year' recognition

The Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor is one of the 18 world leaders honoured this year by the Glamour Magazine's "Women of the Year" Award."Female Heads of State: The Chosen Ones" is the title that brings together this year's winners, the list of which includes German PM Angela Merkel, president of Argentina Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, president of Lyberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, Slovakian PM Iveta Radicova, president of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla, PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, PM of Iceland Johanna Sigurqardottir, President of Kirgistan Roza Otunbajeva, Presidents and PM of Finland Tarja Halonen and

Croatia´s healthcare amongst developed nations´

Croatia is on par with some developed nations when it comes to the quality of health care provided to its citizens, World Health Organization research shows.Although at 1,000 dollars per resident Croatia's spending on health care is significantly below Sweden's (4,500 dollars) and Switzerland's (6,100 dollars), many health indicators reviewed by WHO place it among the developed countries, the daily Vecernji List writes.While the ratio of women who die at childbirth is 27 for every 100,000 in Europe, Croatia's average is seven, the same as Finland and Norway. Croatia, however, does not have 100,000 childbirths per year, so the statistics

International bass competition taking place in Croatia

An international bass guitar competition will take place in Croatia starting next Tuesday, the 2nd November.The Bassmaster2010 competition has announced the names of the finalists that will compete next week in different venues in the capital Zagreb and the town of Sisak from the 2nd to 4th November.The list of the finalists includes: Petar Ceho (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Vincenzo Maurogiovanni (Italy), Julius Boone (Denmark) and Croatians Kresimir Susec, Marinko Pintaric, Petar Makar and Dino Juric.The winner will get the bass guitar Sterling By Music Man, but will also get the opportunity to perform at the ViennaBass event on 21 November