- Published: 30.03.2023.
Gov’t: Bill on development cooperation and humanitarian aid; Comprehensive Aid Package for Ukraine; Stolac school reconstruction
The bill on international development cooperation and humanitarian aid included elements not contained in the 2008 Act, and these are Croatia’s EU membership, transition from aid recipient to aid provider, as well as the new global and EU action framework.
“The new act will also align Croatia’s legal framework with international documents, guidelines and goals, primarily those of the EU and the OECD. It will introduce modern financial instruments for including the private sector in international development cooperation, which is one of the EU’s foreign-policy strategic priorities”, Grlić Radman said.
The government also discussed NATO’s Comprehensive Aid Package for Ukraine, set up in 2016. After Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Package has been increased manifold.
“Even though Croatia is already providing Ukraine with significant bilateral assistance, this €500,000 donation to the Comprehensive Aid Package will strengthen Croatia’s position and improve its visibility within NATO,” he said.
The minister also recalled that the government had already provided financial assistance for the reconstruction of the elementary school in Stolac in Bosnia and Herzegovina the previous July, and would provide additional €50,000 for the second phase of reconstruction.
“The school is one of many in Bosnia and Herzegovina where classes are held under two different curricula. One of the priorities of Croatia’s international development cooperation and humanitarian aid is supporting precisely the education sector in our partner countries, and this project is a contribution to that goal,” Grlić Radman underscored.