Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday, while submitting an annual report on the work of his government in parliament, that the coming months would be difficult and full of new challenges, calling for responsibility, self-sacrifice and solidarity.

“I am confident that we will overcome all the problems together so that Croatia, which has been doing better than many bigger and wealthier countries in these difficult times, can stay as safe as possible,” he said.

Time of responsibility

The PM called for responsibility and self-sacrifice to protect one another and for solidarity as a precondition for unity. He expressed confidence that just as 30 years ago Croatia would again show that it has the strength, ability and people thanks to whom it will overcome problems.

Government action in the coming 12 months and beyond will be geared towards reducing uncertainty and strengthening health, social and economic security, he said.

That primarily refers to a stronger health system, job protection, reduction of inequalities, greater social equity, and an even development of the country, he added.

“It is up to us to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities and overcome the crisis stronger as a society and more competitive as a country,” the prime minister stressed.

The most important areas of long-term action are demographic revitalisation, curbing emigration with economic and tax policies, ensuring an even regional development and equal opportunities for all, and modernising the railways, roads, hospitals, schools and kindergartens, Plenkovic said.

He announced greater investments in farming and measures to help revive rural areas, as well as work on reducing dependence on energy imports, securing more available, cleaner and cheaper energy, and preserving own natural resources.

Digital transformation of economy

Plenkovic also announced that the government would continue to increase investments in education, advance the education reform, improve the quality of the education system, strengthen digitalisation in education and generally invest more in digital transformation.

Digital transformation in the economy will give a strong boost to online trade, which in the current crisis has proved to be a major advantage of companies which have made most progress in that regard, he said, adding that this means faster and more available Internet services in all parts of the country.

He said that the government would strengthen state institutions, notably state administration and judiciary, to more efficiently respond to citizens’ needs.

The PM announced work on promoting a more tolerant atmosphere in society as well as preventing hate speech and fake news.

Plenkovic announced the continuation of the policy of post-war reconciliation, coexistence and remembrance, set by Croatia’s first president Franjo Tudjman, as well as respect for all victims of the just and defensive Homeland War.

He said that Croatia would advocate the EU’s enlargement to include the countries of Southeast Europe that meet the necessary conditions, development of relations with the globally most influential countries, and the strengthening of unity between Croatia and its expatriate communities.

Fight against corruption and hate speech

Plenkovic reiterated his strong support for the fight against corruption.

As regards corruption-related crimes, we are not interested in perpetrators’ party membership, names or office, these must not be an obstacle to their prosecution, he said.

He warned about the dangerous trend of radicalisation, stressing that everyone must oppose it. “We must be aware of the effects of our public statements, notably as regards young people.”

“In order to build a more tolerant and more just society, my government will fight consistently to keep Croatia on the course set already during its first term in office,” the PM said.