Open Government Partnership: a political initiative of great importance for society’s democratic progress

Addresses were delivered by Deputy Foreign Minister Joško Klisović, public policy and transparency specialist in the UK Cabinet Office Charlotte Alldritt, Head of the EU Delegation to Croatia Paul Vandoren and UK Ambassador to Croatia Arthur Slinn.

Klisović thanked for the confidence in Croatia which was chosen as the venue of this event. “Croatia will continue actively participating in the Open Government Partnership,” he stressed, adding that the government’s role was to serve, not rule the people. He highlighted the international component of the conference, as it offers the participants an opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from one another.

Addressing the conference, Vandoren said that the transparency of the state service was extremely important for the society in general, as it opens a whole array of possibilities, stimulates economic growth and creates a positive business environment.

“Open government is an important tool in development, as transparency encourages prosperity,” said Slinn, “and the Open Government Partnership is an idea that keeps on growing.”

The choice of Croatia as the host confirmed its engagement in the OGP initiative, the quality of its Action Plan and the exemplary cooperation between the government and civil society organizations. The main goal of the conference is to further strengthen the implementation of the national Action Plan, adopted by the government on 4 April 2012.

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