Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has said that his office has sent a new letter to the Office of the President proposing that the National Security Council (VNS) convene next Friday, stressing that the call for convening the VNS is the only document he and the president sign jointly.

Plenkovic said this at a government session on Friday at which several decisions were adopted, following the adoption and entry into force of the revised budget for 2020.

“Yesterday afternoon, the head of my office sent a new letter to the Office of the President, offering that the VNS meet next Friday, November 20. We proposed six topics for discussion, we did so on time, namely a minimum five days before the meeting; and we proposed, in line with the law, some other participants in the meeting, considering individual topics proposed for discussion,” Plenkovic said.

He recalled that his office had not received any response from the Office of the President on the previously proposed appointments (Thursday aftrenoon and Friday morning and afternoon).

“When we receive confirmation for the meeting, when the agenda is accepted, we will agree on the time slot and in line with the law co-sign the call (convening the VSN), the only document which the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister sign together. That’s all,” Plenkovic said, a reference to Milanovic’s refusal to have the VNS meeting and its topics agreed by their respective offices and not the two of them personally.

Everyone expected to contribute to adotion of National Development Strategy

Plenkovic also commented on reactions to the draft national development strategy for the period until 2030 and proposals as to who should sit on the steering committee in charge of its drafting

He stressed that he found the debate on the matter “almost ridiculous”.

Plenkovic said that he expected everyone, notably those suggesting a consensus on the document, to take part in the adoption of the document that was put to public consultation on Thursday.

The strategy is a document that should be adopted by consesus, he said, adding that it was a fact that the Opposition would now have the opportunity to read the document, study it and give its suggestions.

“We will carefully analyse those suggestions and discuss them in the parliament and before the relevant committees. That is why I find this almost ridiculous discussion on who should sit on the steering committee belated… considering that the document has been put to public consultation,” said Plenkovic.

“We want to adopt the document with as broad support as possible. My message to all Opposition deputies is – put your suggestions forward, we will analyse them gladly and the parliament, where we are the majority and they are the Opposition, will adopt the document,” said Plenkovic.