The highest Croatian officials on Friday presented a revamped National and University Library (NSB) in Zagreb, which in the first six months of 2020 will be the seat of Croatia's presidency of the European Union.

“We are wrapping up a project that is significant for Croatian culture and science and we can freely say that today this prominent institution is getting an additional congress and conference facet,” Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said.

HRK 95 million has been invested to prepare the NSB for Croatia’s presidency of the EU, Plenkovic said at the ceremony that was also attended by Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, the Croatian members of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, European Commission Vice-President Dubravka Suica, representatives of the diplomatic corps, religious dignitaries and media workers.

A 550-square-metre hall has been prepared to host numerous meetings during the presidency, as have eight smaller halls for up to 60-80 people, a press centre, a dining room for delegates, translators’ and TV booths, video walls and a medical office.

The NSB will be the first building in Croatia with a 5G network which is still being used non-commercially.

Plenkovic said that the renovated NSB would serve to host various activities after Croatia’s EU presidency, such as congresses, government activities, university activities and activities of the alternative theatre scene.

Croatia takes over the six-month rotating EU presidency from Finland on 1 January 2020.