AGP Executive Report

Energy: State pipeline operator JANAF is entering oil exploration and production through a venture in Kazakhstan, a shift that could strengthen Croatia’s energy security and open a new route for Kazakh oil to Europe. Regional Politics: Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat after a student-led movement won a snap election, ending his decade-long hold on power; preliminary figures give the Student List a parliamentary majority. Heritage: A Roman emperor’s marble torso from Salona sold in New York for more than $34 million, setting an auction record for a Roman antiquity. Road Safety: Proposed changes to speed-camera tolerances could sharply raise fines in Croatia; one example would increase a penalty from €130 to €390. Tourism: Croatia remains a global charter leader, but falling peak-season prices and rising costs are squeezing operators as Greece’s fleet grows. People and Culture: Nearly 400,000 people left Croatia between 2016 and 2025, though recent migration figures show more arrivals than departures. Zagreb’s BLEND conference also brought film and gaming creators together, while Croatia’s men won the group title at the school football World Cup.

Croatia’s Population: Nearly 400,000 people left Croatia between 2016 and 2025, including more than 287,000 Croatian citizens. Recent migration figures show more people arriving than departing, but the loss of working-age residents remains a concern. Customs Changes: From 1 November, travellers can declare goods and pay import duties online up to five days before arriving in Croatia; customs officers will still check goods at the border. Zagreb Mobility: The city has launched a plan to reshape how people travel around Zagreb. Jobs and Industry: A Croatian fish-processing factory closure puts 150 jobs at risk, while the Uljanik shipyard has been sold to Turkey’s Kuzey Star for €12 million. Serbia Election: Record turnout marked a major challenge to Aleksandar Vučić, as a student-led movement sought to end his long hold on power. Results were expected after polls closed Sunday evening.

Customs & Travel: Croatia’s new e-customs service launches on November 1, letting passengers declare goods and pay import duties online before reaching the border. Road Rules: From November 1, drivers must use daytime lights; winter equipment becomes compulsory on designated roads from November 15. Heritage: Archaeologists near Split have uncovered traces of a 3,500-year-old settlement, while an 11th- or 12th-century church on Ugljan has gained protected cultural status. Jobs & Industry: The Irida fish-processing plant in Daruvar is due to close by year-end, putting 150 jobs at risk. Croatian drone maker ORQA is also partnering with a Ukrainian firm to develop an underground components factory. Transport & Environment: A proposed fast road linking Dubrovnik with its airport is moving towards an environmental assessment. Croatia remains last in the EU for electric-car purchases, with fully electric vehicles accounting for about 4.3% of new registrations from March to August.

Transport: A proposed fast road from Dubrovnik to its airport would run from Osojnik through a bridge over Rijeka Dubrovačka and on to Čilipi; an environmental assessment is the next step. Zagreb is also planning changes to how people travel around the city. Jobs: Daruvar’s Irida fish-processing plant is due to close by year-end, putting 150 jobs at risk after more than 50 years of operation. Rules for November: Daytime lights become compulsory from 1 November, while winter equipment rules start on designated roads on 15 November. Croatia is also preparing consumer-credit protections and updated business price-transparency rules. Defence: Croatian drone firm ORQA is working with a Ukrainian partner on interceptor drones and an underground factory in Ukraine. Separately, a Croatian Army pilot took first place individually at an international military drone contest in Ankara; Croatia’s team finished seventh. Sport: Dinamo Zagreb lost 4-2 at home to NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League. Croatia is among the bidders to host UEFA’s 2030 futsal championship. Heritage: Rijeka’s historic torpedo launch station is set for restoration, with work expected to begin later this year and finish in 2027.

Transport and Infrastructure: Šibenik’s proposed airport faces delays: its feasibility study and design revision remain unconfirmed, while concerns have emerged over impacts on protected bird habitats. Zagreb, meanwhile, has launched a plan to reshape how people travel around the city. Heritage: Restoration is set to begin on Rijeka’s historic torpedo launch station, with work expected to run through 2027. Jadranka Beresford-Peirse, who founded a trust that helped save Croatian monuments, has died aged 88. Politics and Security: Defence Minister Ivan Anušić urged continued support for Ukraine, warning that defeat or an imposed peace could bring renewed conflict to Europe’s borders. Economy: Croatian households’ financial assets rose 11.1% year-on-year to €141 billion by June, but liabilities also climbed 10.6% to €33 billion. Culture and Tourism: A small Vlaho Bukovac painting sold for a record €475,800 and is due to go on display in Zagreb. Pula is capping prices at its Advent market, including €5 for sausages and €3 for mulled wine. Football: Dinamo Zagreb lost 4-2 at home to NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League.

Culture: Vlaho Bukovac’s Pink Dream sold in Vienna for a record €475,800, nearly 12 times its estimate. The painting is set to go on show at Zagreb’s Klovićevi Dvori from November. Household Finances: Croatian households’ financial assets rose 11.1% year-on-year to €141 billion by June, while liabilities climbed 10.6% to €33 billion, central bank figures show. Local Costs: Pula will cap prices at its Advent market, including €5 for sausages, burgers and cod, and €3 for mulled wine and fritule. Zagreb: The city has launched a plan to reshape how people travel around the capital. Industry: Turkey’s Kuzey Star has completed its €12 million purchase of a 97.13% stake in Pula’s Uljanik shipyard, pledging to maintain shipbuilding and repair work. Sport: Dinamo Zagreb fell 4-2 at home to NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League. Climate: A study estimates Croatia had 461 heat-related excess deaths per million people this summer, among Europe’s highest rates.

Football: Dinamo Zagreb suffered a 4-2 Europa League defeat to NEC Nijmegen at Maksimir, despite Dion Drena Beljo scoring twice. Travel: Austrian Airlines will end its Zagreb–Vienna service on January 10 after more than 40 years, while Zagreb Airport continues talks with Wizz Air as passenger growth slows. Public Safety: A German girl remains stable in intensive care after her hair became trapped in a hotel pool vent in Rabac. Boxing: Croatian heavyweight champion Filip Hrgović is expected to defend his IBF title against Frank Sanchez in Croatia early next year, with Zagreb among the possible venues. Economy: Croatian wages have reached a new high, though questions remain over whether workers’ purchasing power has improved.**

European Football: Dinamo Zagreb lost 4–2 to NEC Nijmegen at Maksimir, despite Dion Drena Beljo scoring twice; NEC claimed its first European win since 2008. Pay and Prices: Croatia’s average net salary reached €1,543 in August, but inflation lifted real purchasing power by only €36 a month. Half of employees earned less than €1,336. Air Travel: Austrian Airlines will end its Vienna–Zagreb route on January 10 after more than 40 years; Croatia Airlines plans to keep two daily flights. Zagreb: A new home for the Dražen Petrović Foundation has opened, bringing the basketball legend’s wax figure back on public display. Security: Two Bosnian citizens were arrested in eastern Croatia on suspicion of migrant smuggling after police found foreign nationals in a truck. Politics: Croatia’s government survived a no-confidence vote linked to illegal waste dumping.

Government: Croatia’s cabinet survived a no-confidence vote over illegal waste dumping. Regional Ties: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says Montenegro’s accession progress needs the backing of all 27 EU members, including Croatia; signing a treaty by summer 2027 remains a realistic goal. Public Safety: Flash floods hit Split and central Dalmatia, inundating roads and disrupting ferry services after intense rain. Sports: Croatia has formally bid to host UEFA’s 2030 Futsal Championship, proposing Zagreb and Split as host cities. Science: Research led by Croatian scientist Mateja Hajdinjak traces the genetic legacy of Neanderthals from Vindija Cave in people today. Energy: Two new Acciona wind farms are now operating in Croatia, adding 72 megawatts of capacity.

Waste Scandal: Croatia’s government survived a no-confidence vote over the illegal dumping of 37,000 tonnes of waste near Gospić. Reports found heavy metals and “forever chemicals” downstream, fuelling residents’ health concerns. Tourism Rules: The government is advancing digital registration for short-term rentals, with platforms facing fines for listings that breach the rules. Clean Energy: Acciona has brought two wind farms in Split-Dalmatia and Šibenik-Knin into operation, adding 72 megawatts of capacity and supplying an estimated 203 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year. EU Enlargement: Commissioner Marta Kos says Montenegro could sign an EU accession treaty by summer 2027, but unresolved disputes with Croatia must be addressed. Jobs: Croatia is recruiting 785 Filipino workers for hotel jobs under new guidelines intended to strengthen protections. Zagreb Heritage: The city is preparing plans to restore Corso café, a landmark that first opened in 1907.

Border Security: Croatia says it has thwarted 25,000 illegal-entry attempts and arrested 950 suspected smugglers this year, while illegal migration at the border has fallen by about 40%. Uljanik Shipyard: The sale of Pula’s shipbuilding facilities to Turkey’s Kuzey Star is complete; the buyer has pledged to continue shipbuilding, repairs and overhauls. Press Freedom: A watchdog has condemned threats against Croatian journalists after Torcida members posted images of 12 reporters following pro-Nazi chants at a Hajduk Split march. Police have identified 23 suspects. Hospitality Jobs: Croatia has opened 785 hotel-sector positions to Filipino workers through a government recruitment programme, with 943 applicants shortlisted for interviews.

Press Freedom: Croatian watchdogs condemned death threats against journalists who reported pro-Nazi chants by Hajduk Split fans; police have charged 23 people over the incident. Cambodia Ties: Croatia and Cambodia signed agreements on diplomatic visa exemptions and foreign-service training during Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman’s visit, which also advanced cooperation on demining. Jobs: Croatia has opened 785 hospitality positions to Filipino workers through a government recruitment programme. Zagreb Environment: The city plans to monitor groundwater near a site holding 33,000 tonnes of industrial waste. Pensions: A report says 40% of Croatian retirees live in poverty as demand for soup kitchens rises. EU Enlargement: Croatia’s unresolved disputes with Montenegro remain a hurdle to Podgorica’s accession bid. Sport: Croatia has entered the race to host the 2030 UEFA Futsal Euro, proposing Zagreb and Split as venues.

Demining Cooperation: Croatia and Cambodia agreed to share mine-clearance expertise after Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman’s Phnom Penh visit. Croatia declared itself mine-free after 31 years of work and clearing 107,000 mines. Football Hate Crime: Police charged 23 people over pro-Nazi and antisemitic chants before Hajduk Split’s match against Ajax; six are in custody, and those convicted could face up to five years in prison. China Ties: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Zagreb, with both sides signalling interest in deeper trade and economic cooperation. Jobs: Croatia opened 785 hospitality jobs to Filipino applicants through a government recruitment programme, including roles for hotel staff, chefs, waiters and housekeepers. Tourism: Eurostat figures put Croatia first in the EU for tourism intensity in 2025, with 24.5 nights in tourist accommodation per resident. EU Enlargement: Montenegro has taken steps to address Croatia’s concerns over historical sites, as unresolved disputes could complicate its EU accession bid.

Olive Harvest: Finland’s team won Croatia’s World Olive Picking Championship on Brač, harvesting 122 pounds despite coming from a country with no olive trees. Regional Relations: Croatia and Cambodia agreed to expand cooperation on mine clearance and technology, drawing on Croatia’s experience completing its own clearance obligations. Montenegro’s EU Bid: Podgorica has taken steps to address Croatian objections, including protections for a memorial to Croatian victims of the Morinj camp; Zagreb says disputes must be resolved before accession. Food Security: Croatian lawmakers and experts warn that declining farm output, worker shortages and reliance on imported food leave the country vulnerable in a crisis. Travel Disruption: The Sveti Ilija Tunnel is closed for repairs until December 21, with drivers diverted via Šestanovac and Dubci. Clean Energy: Acciona has started operating two Croatian wind farms expected to produce 203 GWh of electricity a year.

Croatia Abroad: Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh on Monday for talks on cooperation. Neretva Under Pressure: A hydropower project in Bosnia and Herzegovina could damage the river across the border in Croatia; Croatia has filed a complaint under the Espoo Convention over its cross-border impacts. Zagreb Watch: The city plans to monitor groundwater near 33,000 tonnes of industrial waste, while a driverless robotaxi trial has brought Europe’s first such service to Zagreb. Tourism: Croatia recorded the EU’s highest tourism intensity in 2025, with 24.5 overnight stays per resident, intensifying questions about tourism’s impact and who benefits. Hajduk Chants: Croatian leaders condemned pro-Nazi chants before the club’s match against Ajax; police arrested several people. China Ties: President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković have both discussed expanding trade and cooperation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China Ties: Croatian leaders met Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Zagreb, with talks focused on trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation. Tourism Pressure: Croatia had the EU’s highest tourism intensity in 2025, with 24.5 overnight stays per resident; a separate estimate says just €48 of every €100 tourists spend stays in the domestic economy. Zagreb’s Water: The city hired a firm to monitor groundwater near the Savica site, where about 33,000 tonnes of hazardous industrial waste lie close to a drinking-water source. Hajduk Fallout: Police arrested Croatian fans after pro-Nazi and antisemitic chants ahead of the club’s match with Ajax, drawing condemnation from national leaders. Montenegro’s EU Bid: Croatia has set out eight conditions for backing Montenegro’s accession, pressing for bilateral disputes to be resolved. Driverless Taxis: Uber and partners are testing robotaxis in Manchester, building on their Zagreb service, launched in April.