2012 has been a year of confrontation with accumulated problems, while 2013 is a year of opportunity for recovery and optimism, the Croatian People's Party (HNS) said in a statement on Saturday, extending its best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
"Some of the huge problems had to be dealt with as a prerequisite for accession to the European Union, such as shipbuilding, while at the same time the government did not inherit any ongoing development projects. Nevertheless, the foundation has been laid for growth in the years ahead, particularly in the energy sector, education, health and other social activities through a public-private partnership model. The private sector has been given room for investment in renewable energy sources and tourism. All this is a realistic basis for overcoming the recession in 2013, for mild economic growth and hence for the renewed optimism of both citizens and investors," HNS president Radimir Cacic said.
Vice-president Vesna Pusic said that the HNS had made a huge contribution to the work of the government and parliament in 2012. "Regardless of the current difficult financial and economic situation, Croatia has never faced a year of such great opportunity as is 2013," she said.
Vice-president Ivan Vrdoljak said that 2012 was a tough year both for citizens and for the HNS which, as a member of the ruling coalition, had had to make tough decisions and take responsibility. He said he believed 2013 would be much better.
