Parliament Decides that Application of EFPZ Would Start on 1 January 2008

The Croatian parliament on Friday decided that the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone (EFPZ) would start applying also to EU countries on 1 January 2008 at the latest.

The government-sponsored amendment to the decision on expanding Croatia's jurisdiction in the Adriatic was supported by 87 deputies, while 18 voted against.

The government and the parliamentary majority rejected an amendment by the Social Democrats (SDP) to activate the ecological component of the EFPZ immediately and the part referring to fisheries by 1 July 2007, as well as an amendment by the Social Liberals (HSLS) that the EFPZ be activated in its entirety on 1 July 2007.

Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarović said the government insisted on its position that the EFPZ be activated by 1 January 2008 at the latest which, she said, meant that it could be applied even before that deadline.

Deputies adopted a conclusion by the Croatian People's Party (HNS) committing the government to secure additional funds for the upgrading and expansion of the fishing fleet, the construction of fishing ports and wholesale markets, as well as for other mechanisms for the application of the EFPZ.
 
The parliamentary majority also rejected the Party of Rights' (HSP) proposal that Croatia immediately declare an Exclusive Economic Zone as well as a proposal by the SDP and the Peasant Party (HSS) to immediately activate the EFPZ for EU member states.
 
Parliament also amended the law on the control of the state border which will introduce the nondiscrimination right for Croatian fishermen, who will be able to enter and exit the EFPZ without passport or customs control within 36 hours.

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