At the last government session before the summer break, the prime minister defended investments from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, announced new projects, and commented on OECD accession.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed the public on Thursday at the start of the 190th session of the Government, the last before the summer break which lasts until August 20, 2026, as reported by Tportal. At the center of his address were investments from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), during which he told the opposition that he could organize a tour of renovated facilities across Croatia for them.
Prime Minister Plenković highlighted that the reconstruction process after the earthquake is progressing according to plan, citing specific investment figures. "The entire reconstruction process is going well. So far we have invested five billion euros, three billion for the reconstruction of Zagreb, and two for Banovina," said Plenković, commenting on this week's handover of keys to renovated residential buildings, as reported by Tportal.
Responding to criticism about the speed and efficiency of the reconstruction, especially from opposition ranks, Plenković issued a direct invitation. "For those who deny it or are not sufficiently informed, the Government can organize a tour of Croatia and always show them how it all looks," the prime minister stated.
As a concrete example of reconstruction in Banovina, the Government of the Republic of Croatia's Twitter profile announced that Minister of Culture Nina Obuljen Koržinek, together with the Mayor of Petrinja Magdalena Komes and the director of the Public Open University Hrvatski dom Petrinja, Vesna Brebrić, opened the Krsto Hegedušić Gallery on Wednesday, July 29. "It's a joy to see the return of the audience to one of Petrinja's most beloved institutions," the minister wrote. For the comprehensive renovation of Petrinja's city center, which includes 26 houses, 56.7 million euros have been allocated from the state budget, and in Sisak-Moslavina County, the ministry is overseeing 95 renovation projects for public and social-purpose buildings.
Plenković listed a series of openings this week financed with European funds. In Bjelovar-Bilogora County, the eighth senior center was opened in Grubišno Polje, worth 11.2 million euros, with capacity for 102 inpatients and 211 outpatients. In total, 356 million euros have been invested in a network of 15 centers on the mainland and 15 on the coast.
The Daruvar Spa has also reopened, with its renovation financed through the NRRP with just over 13 million euros, while the total project value exceeds 20 million euros. "This project is part of the capital investments of the Government of the Republic of Croatia aimed at the renovation and development of health and spa tourism throughout Croatia," stated Minister Tonči Glavina, as announced on the Government's Twitter profile.
In Zadar County, several projects were realized: a senior center worth 7.4 million euros was opened in Sveti Filip i Jakov, and the expanded terminal of Zadar Airport was also opened, with approximately 35 million euros invested so far. Government representatives also visited the air base in Zemunik and were in Orašje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where contracts were signed for new support projects for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The prime minister praised the efforts of pilots and firefighters during the fire season and announced international assistance. "The government adopted a decision for Canadair planes, and a second one has also been dispatched, to help extinguish fires in France. You saw the fires around Bordeaux and that President Macron appreciates our support," said Plenković, also mentioning the efforts of fire chief Tucaković and others in the chain of command.
The government again regulated fuel prices this week, and the prime minister emphasizes that this is about mitigating price increases, not completely stopping them. "We adopted a decision on the regulation of petroleum product prices, with which we significantly mitigated the rise in gasoline and diesel prices. We are working to cushion the impact and maintain the standard of living for our citizens and the economy. In that regard, we reduced fuel excise duties to zero, that is, to the lowest level," he stressed.
The prime minister also commented on the elections in the Croatian Olympic Committee held on Wednesday, July 29, where Josip Varvodić was elected as the new president, succeeding Zlatko Mateša. "We congratulate Mr. Varvodić and the opposing candidate Mr. Primorac. Croatian sport has shown that it has pluralism and a democratic contest," said Plenković, adding that the Government and the Ministry of Tourism will cooperate with the Croatian Olympic Committee on eradicating irregularities.
After the session, the Government is signing an agreement with Beretta Holding on the construction of a factory in the Obrovac area in Zadar County. "This is a renowned partner with vast experience and an international reputation, so in this way we will strengthen our defense capability and cooperation," Plenković emphasized.
The session also adopted by-laws related to accession to the OECD, the last international organization that Croatia is not yet a member of. "We fully meet all the conditions for accession and expect that the negotiations led by Minister Grlić Radman will be completed by the end of the year," said Plenković.
Finally, the prime minister announced the celebration of Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders and the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, to be held in Knin on August 5, 2026. "This is one of the most important days in modern Croatian history. Preparations are underway, and the organizing committee is led by Minister Medved. Of course we will be there alongside our soldiers, police, and defenders," concluded Plenković.
