Lawyers from EU countries will in future be able to open branches in Croatia and provide legal services, including consulting on Croatian law, the government proposes in amendments to the State Attorney's Office Act.

The government sent a bill of amendments to the parliament on Thursday to align the law with the European acquis by transposing seven European Parliament and European Council directives into Croatia’s legal system.

The amendments and supplements will enable lawyers from EU countries to provide legal services in Croatia just like our own lawyers, Justice and Public Administration Minister Ivan Malenica said.

The bill also regulates electronic signatures.

Furthermore, the government adopted a decision to launch negotiations on a collective agreement for government employees, appointing its negotiating committee comprising, as chairman, the minister of labour and, as members, the ministers of finance, the interior, justice, and defence and their deputies.