The Prime Minister announced continued state interventions in the fuel market, prosecution of those responsible for illegal waste, commented on this morning's train collision, and confirmed the goal of raising the average pension by the end of his term.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković visited Metković on Saturday for the 29th Lađa Marathon, where he commented on a range of current topics, from fuel prices and illegal waste in Gospić, to relations with Ukraine, and pension increases and this morning's train collision. He stated that the government will continue to protect citizens from energy shocks and resolve the environmental issue in Lika.
Speaking about possible adjustments to fuel prices, Plenković sought to reassure the public. He emphasized that the government has been regulating prices for five months to cushion the impact on citizens and the economy.
"The government is constantly reacting. For practically five months now, the government has been regulating and reducing the impact and rise in prices of petrol, diesel, and blue diesel, as well as gas in tanks and bottles. If prices do rise, it will be minimal," the Prime Minister said.
These measures apply to petrol, diesel, blue diesel, and bottled and tank gas. Although he did not reveal the exact amounts of potential price increases, he stressed that fuel prices have been influenced for some time by measures that mitigate the effects of instability and disruptions in external markets.
After USKOK released expert findings confirming contamination at the illegal waste site in Gospić, Mayor Darko Milinović criticized the government. Plenković responded that the state will ensure remediation and that responsibility for illegal dumping must be established simultaneously.
"There are two instructions. One is that all those responsible for illegal waste ending up in the Gospić area and other parts of Lika-Senj County must be prosecuted. The other is to prepare a comprehensive remediation plan, coordinated by the Environmental Protection Fund," Plenković stated.
The announcement of remediation is crucial due to potential impacts on the environment and human health. The Prime Minister did not set a deadline for the completion of the work but said the problem would be resolved through coordinated action by state institutions.
The Prime Minister also commented on the collision between a passenger and freight train that occurred on Saturday morning. He expressed regret over the accident and emphasized that he is in constant contact with the relevant ministers and services.
"I'm sorry this happened. We've been in contact all morning, Minister Butković, Minister Božinović, Minister Medved, Minister Hrstić, and myself, as well as all services. The investigation will reveal the cause of the accident; at this moment I cannot comment on it," Plenković said.
Plenković also commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Serbia. When asked whether Serbia is between Moscow and Brussels, he replied that it is always at that crossroads. He stressed that relations between Belgrade and Kyiv do not change Croatia's policy towards Ukraine.
"These are relations between two countries that have nothing to do with what we do. We support Ukraine without any doubts, without any reservations. When it comes to government policy, clear condemnation of Russian aggression, strong support for Ukraine, both political, diplomatic, military, and humanitarian," the Prime Minister stated.
At the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, he announced pension increases for Croatian veterans. He emphasized that they are correcting the injustice of previous governments, dating back to the Račan government.
"These reductions were made by decisions of earlier governments, three governments before mine. Yesterday, Minister Medved and Minister Ružić elaborated in detail on what this is about. It dates back to the Račan government; we are correcting yet another injustice. This is not about new increases, but about restoring things to the situation as they should have been," he explained.
Regarding civilian pensioners, the Prime Minister confirmed an ambitious goal. "We are following the path we set, which is that the total average pension in Croatia by the end of our third government's term will be between €750 and €800, and I believe it will reach €800, not to mention the annual bonus," Plenković concluded.
In addition to political topics, the Prime Minister held a working meeting in Metković with the Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Blaž Pezo, and the mayors of Metković, Ploče, and Opuzen, Dalibor Milan, Ivan Marević, and Ivan Mataga. During the talks, they addressed the completion of the agglomeration project, the irrigation system in Donja Neretva, and the connection of Metković to Croatia's motorway network.
Before the 29th Lađa Marathon, which brings together 31 teams and around 400 rowers, he also met with representatives of the Neretva Lađari Association, stating that the government will continue to provide strong support for this event that preserves the heritage and identity of the Neretva Valley.
