Latest News from Croatia

Atlantic Trade Deal May Bypass Croatian Parliament

An important trade deal between the US and EU, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, may be signed directly by the European Commission - by-passing the need for the deal to go to national parliaments.

The TTIP is a free-trade agreement designed to encourage multilateral economic growth and job creation.

Croatia Party Leader Faces Queries Over Pricey Car

Tomislav Karamarko, head of Croatia's main opposition party, the centre-right Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, has been reported for a conflict of interest over a car.

At issue is a car estimated to be worth 85,000 euro, and which belongs to the company of his fiancé.

Ireland votes in historic referendum on gay marriage

Ireland goes to the polls on May 22 to vote on whether same-sex marriage should be legal, in a referendum that has exposed sharp divisions between communities in this traditionally Catholic nation.

Tecau-Rojer advances to men's doubles final of Nice Open 2015

Romanian Horia Tecau and Dutch Jean-Julien Rojer, the main favourites, on Thursday advanced as a double to the men's doubles event final of the 494,310-US-dollar Nice Open 2015 tennis tournament, after defeating Argentinean double Guillermo Duran/Maximo Gonzales 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 12 minutes of play.

Photo credit: (c) Grigore POPESCU / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

Croatia Underwrites New Loans for Indebted Highways

Croatia's state-owned roads company, Croatian highways, HAC, has taken out 250 million euro in new loans that the government will guarantee on Thursday.

HAC will use the new loans to cover old loans taken out previously to construct and maintain highways.

Bosnia, Croatia Arrest Police in Drugs Crackdown

In a coordinated operation codenamed "Mask," police raided several locations in Bosnia and neighbouring Croatia on Thursday and arrested more than 20 people - including four policemen - believed to be involved in organized crime, as well as drug and weapons trafficking between those two countries.

EU report on water quality finds Greek bathwaters to be “excellent” (interactive map + video)

The EU report on water quality published on Wednesday shows that heavily-indebted Greece and Cyprus boast of some of the most pristine bathing spots. The European Environment Agency that compiles the report found that six nations rated “excellent” in water quality.

Greece gets 'excellent' rating for bathing waters

By Barbara Lewis

Europe's inland and coastal waters have become cleaner and nations such as heavily-indebted Greece and Cyprus boast some of the most pristine bathing spots, according to this year's EU report on water quality, published on Wednesday.

Deputies' Chamber Speaker: All EU member states should work together to support Moldova's European aspirations

Speaker of the Deputies' Chamber, Valeriu Zgonea, on Wednesday stated, at his meeting with the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova, Viorel Cibotaru, that all the EU member states should work together, as a priority, to support Moldova's European aspirations.

Photo credit: (c) Mihai POZIUMSCHI / AGERPRES PHOTO