The new Minister of Environmental and Nature Protection, Mihael Zmajlovic, said on Wednesday he would make all necessary preparations as soon as possible so that the government could decide on whether the Ombla hydroelectric power plant construction project was environmentally acceptable or not.
Speaking to reporters after he was sworn in as minister in Parliament, Zmajlovic said that his ministry's task would be to maintain the high standards of environmental and nature protection so as to ensure sustainable development of the national economy.
When asked about the time frame within which he was to obtain opinions of domestic and foreign experts as part of a study of the environmental impact of the Ombla project, Zmajlovic said he was given a very tight deadline because "it is in the interest of the state to kick-start investments and ensure economic growth." He added that both economic and environmental priorities should be balanced in deciding on the project.
When asked what kind of cooperation he expected from Economy Minister Radimir Cacic, who had expressed a firm position on Tuesday that the Ombla and Plomin projects must continue, Zmajlovic said that the government aimed to use the energy Cacic was investing in reviving the economy.
"That's the aim of all government members, and I believe it is also in the interests of all citizens that we get the economy going and channel all that energy into launching projects and investments," the new minister said.
