Representatives of most party groups in the Croatian parliament agreed at a meeting on Thursday evening to support on Friday a decision under which a referendum on Croatia's EU entry would be held on January 22, with the Croatian Labour Party and the HDSSB party voicing opposition to the decision because they believe the referendum should be held in mid-February.
Prime Minister Designate Zoran Milanovic of the Social Democratic Party told reporters that the Labour Party and the HDSSB had a slightly different position than the other parties, but that they showed a high degree of understanding for the current needs, primarily because they support the referendum.
Milanovic said it was agreed that parliamentary groups of parties making up the ruling coalition would, together with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party group and the group representing ethnic minorities, put forward documents on the referendum and accompanying documents that should be amended to make it possible to hold the referendum on January 22, instead of on January 9 as envisaged by an existing parliamentary declaration.
Milanovic said it was agreed, at the proposal of HDZ leader Jadranka Kosor, that a debate on Croatia's membership in the EU be held on January 15 or 16.
Kosor expressed satisfaction with the adoption of the HDZ's proposal that consultations be held on three proposed decisions - a declaration on the basic principles of Croatia's EU membership negotiations, a prior decision on Croatia's accession to the EU, and a decision on calling a national referendum on EU entry.
She said her party had supported the said documents so that the referendum could be held on January 22. "The project to enter the EU is a project that was led until the signing of the Accession Treaty by the HDZ and the government. It is our project and we will support all projects arising from it."
Kosor added that the meeting also accepted the HDZ's proposal that a broad debate on Croatia's EU membership be opened right after January 15, when, under the constitution, the parliament is to begin its regular sessions.
Milanovic also said that the referendum question would be very simple. "Are you in favour of Croatia's EU membership? For-Against".
"We believe that what has been done so far and all efforts undertaken should be enough to persuade Euro-skeptics as well, and we will continue working in good faith because the turnout should be representative and citizens should support something that is the country's millennium goal," said Milanovic.
