AGP Executive Report

School Safety in Zagreb: A student attacked a peer and a cleaner with a sharp object at the Electrical Engineering School in Konavoska Street (Voltino) on Sept. 11; police arrested the attacker shortly after, and the injured are reported to be out of danger after surgery. Energy Relief: Croatia adopted an 11th package of measures worth nearly €260 million to shield households and businesses from energy-price pressure, running Oct. 1, 2026 to Mar. 31, 2027. Housing Support Demand: Croatia’s first-home scheme has drawn 7,479 applications, with 4,881 approved for payments and €36.9m already approved, according to APN. Consumer Protection & Food Safety: Croatia and Bulgaria blocked and destroyed pepper shipments from Albania and North Macedonia after lab tests found pesticide levels above allowed rules. Tourism Numbers: Croatia hailed another “extraordinary tourism year,” citing 17.5m arrivals and 90.5m overnight stays in Jan–Aug 2026, plus a 17.6% jump in fiscalized tourism revenue. Transport Tech: Fully driverless robotaxi passenger rides have started in Zagreb via Pony.ai and Verne, booked through the Uber app. EU Politics: Croatia’s parliament speaker warned Serbia it cannot count on Zagreb’s EU support after the “unacceptable” Ratko Mladić funeral.

Consumer Relief Package: Croatia’s government adopted an 11th set of measures to shield households and businesses from energy-price pressure, worth nearly €260m and running from Oct 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. EU Accession Pressure: Parliament speaker Gordan Jandroković warned Serbia it can’t count on Zagreb’s support for EU membership after the “completely unacceptable” funeral of war criminal Ratko Mladić. Defense & Training: Croatia is expanding capabilities with joint Rafale air-to-air refuelling training with German forces, while also signing a major deal for 18 South Korean Chunmoo rocket launchers. New Investment Incentive: Croatia is preparing a Croatian Investment Account from Jan 1, 2027, aiming to make investing more tax-efficient, with tax-free gains and withdrawals under conditions. Zagreb Violence: A student in a Zagreb high school stabbed another student and a janitor; the attacker was detained and the injured are reported out of danger. Tourism & Air Travel: Eurocontrol says Europe hit record summer air traffic, with Croatia among countries seeing strong growth despite wider regional disruptions.

Tourism Boom in Croatia: Croatia has shattered records, topping 5 million tourist arrivals in August for the first time, with 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays in the first eight months. Jobs Snapshot: Croatia recorded 1.72 million employed people in Q2 2026, up year-on-year, while unemployment fell to 84,000. Road Toll Uncertainty: Croatian Motorways says the new Crolibertas toll system won’t miss its legal deadline despite procurement appeals and media talk of delays. Family Policy: Croatia is rolling out up to €15,000 support for larger families buying seven-seat vehicles. Defense Deal in Zagreb: Hanwha Aerospace signed a €411.8m contract to supply 18 Chunmoo rocket launchers to Croatia, with deliveries planned through 2030. Zagreb Football News: Dinamo Zagreb gave a Ghanaian youngster, Fuzy Taylor, his first-team debut in the Croatia Cup. Sports Night (International): Manchester United returned to the Champions League with a 4-0 win over Sabah, while Como impressed on debut and Croatia midfielder Martin Baturina scored.

Croatia’s Defence Push: Croatia signed a €435.2m deal with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace for 18 Chunmoo K239 multiple rocket launchers, with delivery running to 2029, plus a separate contract for a command-and-control system integration with Poland’s WB Electronics—part of a broader push to boost range, firepower and deterrence. Justice Reform: Croatia plans to introduce life imprisonment with parole possible after 25 years, starting Jan 1, 2027, alongside special post-sentence supervision for the most dangerous offenders and adding “ecocide” to criminal law. Tourism Watch: Croatia is posting another strong season, with 17.5m arrivals and 90.5m overnight stays in Jan–Aug 2026 (+1%), while Booking.com data shows Dubrovnik searches for autumn stays up 56%. Health Milestone: Dubrovnik General Hospital carried out its first implantations of Micra leadless pacemakers, marking a major cardiology upgrade. Economy & Costs: Eurostat reports EU agricultural output prices down 5.8% in Q2 2026 while input costs rose 4.7%, with Croatia among the countries seeing output price increases (+3.9%). Tech & Mobility: Spain issued its first national permits for Level 4 robotaxi testing on public roads, clearing WeRide and Uber to prepare a Madrid deployment of 20 vehicles.

Zagreb Waste Crisis: Tens of thousands of people protested in Zagreb over delays and alleged illegal dumping of hazardous waste in Lika, with police arrests reported in an investigation tied to thousands of tonnes brought in from Italy and Slovenia. Road Toll Overhaul: Croatian Motorways says the new Crolibertas toll system replacing the current setup is still on track for launch within legal deadlines, despite media reports after a procurement decision was annulled. Transport & Ports: Rijeka Gateway reports strong container volumes—over 370,000 TEU in its first commercial year—with further capacity expected in 2027, while the company highlights ongoing rail and logistics needs. Football (Croatia): HNS set ticket prices for Croatia’s Nations League home match vs Spain at Poljud (Oct 6), with sales via the federation’s mobile app only and prices from €30 to €65. EU/Regional Diplomacy: Latvia hosted European foreign ministers in Riga, with eastern flank security and support for Ukraine high on the agenda, including meetings with Croatia’s foreign minister.

Zagreb Sports: Zagreb opened its new €36.3m sports and recreation centre, including the city’s first municipal pool in the western district, with facilities for swimming, water sports, fitness and rehab. Local Industry & Safety: A major fire broke out at the Petrohemija plant in Kutina, with reports saying a rubber conveyor belt near fertilizer production burned and thick black smoke was seen. EU Housing Rules: The European Commission proposed an Affordable Housing Act that could let cities curb short-term rentals in areas under housing stress, with Croatia likely watching how the rules are applied locally. Defence Upgrade: Croatia signed a €33.2m deal to upgrade Rafale combat communications with a new ground-to-air network running 2026-2030. Trade Watch: Croatia’s exports rose to €16bn in the first seven months of 2026, but imports jumped faster to €28.6bn, leaving a large deficit. Tourism & Transport: Croatia’s airports handled 2.35m passengers in July; separately, Maersk announced new Mediterranean-to-North America peak surcharges that include Croatia. Education Pressure: A new OECD PISA report shows steep declines in reading and maths across many countries, including Croatia.

Tourism & Safety: Dubrovnik-Neretva County reports sea-quality results for 127 tested beaches: 122 rated “excellent,” three “good,” and only Prožura (Mljet) and Ponta Žal (Dubrovnik) “satisfactory,” though both still meet bathing standards. Road Safety: Croatia is launching a €2.725m tender for 40 new fixed high-tech radars plus 120 camera housings, with cameras able to catch wrong-way driving and illegal overtaking across solid lines. Defense & Industry: South Korea’s defense minister Ahn Gyu-back heads to Croatia for talks and to attend the signing of Hanwha’s Chunmoo rocket launcher export deal. Environment & Protest: Tens of thousands rallied in Zagreb demanding action over illegal toxic waste in Lika, including calls to halt waste imports and hold the government accountable. EU Politics: Croatia warns Serbia to suspend EU talks over the glorification of Ratko Mladić, calling it contrary to EU values. Culture & City Life: Zagreb’s Croatian National Theatre is set for renovation after nearly 57 years, with bids now in for conceptual design work. Travel & Connectivity: Air Canada’s new Dubrovnik–Montreal route is set for May 2027, with three weekly flights in the summer season.

Croatia’s Economy & Jobs: Croatia’s labour market keeps growing: the pension insurance system counted 1,797,071 insured people at end of August, up by 16,263 year-on-year. Cost of Living: The government froze petrol and diesel prices after emergency fuel-duty cuts, blocking a potential diesel jump of up to 14 cents per litre. Demographics: Makarska posted a rare natural increase in 2025, with 146 births versus 131 deaths—one of only six Croatian towns with more births than deaths. Tourism Pressure: Croatia remains the EU’s most seasonal tourism destination: 54.5% of overnight stays happen in July and August. Public Health & Community: Dubrovnik lit up the Great Onofrio Fountain red for World Duchenne Awareness Day, pushing the message “Access Changes Lives.” Regional Politics: Bosnia and Herzegovina expelled two Serbian diplomats over the glorification of Ratko Mladić, escalating tensions after his funeral in Belgrade. Tech & Mobility: Robotaxi firm Pony.ai’s CEO says driverless taxis could be widespread within five years, pointing to its Zagreb launch as part of Europe expansion.

Zagreb Protests & Toxic Waste Crisis: Tens of thousands gathered in central Zagreb over delays in removing hazardous waste stored near Gospić/Lika, with organizers warning the cleanup promises still haven’t turned into action. Politics & Public Trust: A new CRO Demoskop poll for RTL shows HDZ at its weakest level in two years (25.3%), with the waste scandal in Lika cited as a key driver of dissatisfaction. Regional Diplomacy: Bosnia and Herzegovina recalled embassy staff from Belgrade and suspended bilateral meetings with Serbia after the glorification of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, while the EU warned against honoring him. Croatia Football: Luka Modrić was named in Croatia’s Nations League squad, with goalkeeper Dominik Livaković joining after his Barcelona move and Croatia coach Slaven Bilić stressing the need for match minutes. Travel & Tourism Signals: Župa Dubrovačka saw more arrivals but fewer overnight stays in 2026, and Dubrovnik’s nautical tourism cooled in August. Infrastructure & Mobility: An Osijek firm plans to develop unmanned systems in Vukovar, and traffic on Croatian motorways is up 3% versus the same period in 2025.

Croatia–EU Security & Diplomacy: Bosnia and Herzegovina announced it will recall embassy staff in Belgrade and suspend bilateral meetings with Serbia, cutting communication to the “lowest possible level” after reactions to the death and funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. Public Safety: Zagreb police are checking bomb threats after 20 faculties and university services received an anonymous warning about planted explosives and firearms. National Team Focus: Luka Modrić has been named in Croatia’s Nations League squad by coach Slaven Bilić; Croatia open Group A against Czechia on Sept. 26, with Bilić saying Modrić won’t play every match. Defense Modernisation: Croatia approved the purchase of 18 South Korean Chunmoo K239 launchers (about €544m) to replace older rocket systems, with deliveries planned for 2026–2029. Housing Market: New-build apartment prices keep climbing: Croatia’s average hit €2,994 per sq m in H1 2026, while Zagreb surged to €3,518 (+18.9% year-on-year). Environment & Health: Air quality in Split returned to the red category as smoke from Bosnia wildfires drifted over Dalmatia. Waste Crisis Backdrop: USKOK expert findings flagged microplastic contamination in groundwater tied to waste sites in Varaždin and Gospić.

Back to School in Croatia: Education Minister Radovan Fuchs kicked off the new school year, urging pupils to be curious, brave and persistent—and reminding first-graders that mistakes are part of learning. Toxic Waste Crisis: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of illegally dumped hazardous waste near Gospić in Lika, where authorities say around 35,000 tonnes were involved; protesters want a nationwide plan with clear deadlines and a halt to waste imports while investigations continue. Dubrovnik Wildfire Smoke: Dubrovnik woke under a smoky haze as wildfires burned across the border in Bosnia and Herzegovina; firefighters say the city isn’t threatened, but smoke has lingered for days. Tourism Rules Under Pressure: Brussels moves toward tougher limits on short-term holiday rentals as Croatia tightens tourist apartment rules—raising the question of who pays the price amid housing strain. Health Snapshot: Eurostat data puts Croatia’s adult obesity rate at 16.5% in 2025, slightly above the EU average, with experts pointing to diet and lower activity levels. Transport Update: Croatia is set to replace toll booths with an electronic free-flow system, Crolibertas, from March 2027.

Toxic Waste Protests: Tens of thousands marched through Zagreb demanding urgent action over an illegal hazardous waste dump near Gospić, where authorities say about 35,000 tonnes of imported waste (including medical and electronic) were buried after arrests in 2025; protesters want a moratorium on waste imports and a nationwide waste-management plan within 20 days. Tourism Rules in the Spotlight: The EU is moving toward tougher limits on short-term holiday rentals as housing pressure rises, while Croatia tightens its own tourist apartment rules—raising the question of who will pay the price. Maritime Access Concern: An electrified fence on Croatia’s island of Vis was found blocking access to the maritime public domain; the owner was ordered to remove it and a misdemeanour report was filed. Transport & Safety: Zagreb police cracked down on e-scooters and other personal transport vehicles, seizing 15 and issuing 114 offences, mostly for missing helmets. Sports & Culture: Croatia’s Luka Modrić confirmed availability for UEFA Nations League matches after the World Cup; and Croatia’s Oscar hopeful “God Will Not Help” was selected as the country’s international feature entry.

Toxic Waste Crisis: Tens of thousands marched through Zagreb on Saturday demanding urgent action over illegal hazardous waste dumped near Gospić in Lika, with protesters calling for a moratorium on imports and a national waste plan within 20 days. Police & Probe: Authorities say Europol-backed investigations followed arrests of 13 people in 2025, with claims of tens of thousands of tonnes and soil contamination; officials dispute the worst contamination fears. Football: Croatia captain Luka Modrić, 41 next week, has confirmed he’ll keep playing for the national team and is set for UEFA Nations League matches against Czechia, Spain and England under Slaven Bilić. Education: Croatia’s new school year starts tomorrow, but the education minister says more than 4,000 first-graders have had enrolment postponed, urging parents to rely on professionals rather than personal judgment. Sports (MMA): Stephen Loman returned after three years away but lost to Lasha Abramishvili at BRAVE CF 108 in Pula Arena.

Toxic Waste Crisis: Tens of thousands marched through Zagreb on Saturday demanding urgent action over an illegal hazardous waste dump near Gospić in Lika, where authorities say about 33,000–37,000 tonnes were stored, including medical and industrial waste; soil tests found heavy metals and PFAS in groundwater, and protesters want the waste removed fast and those responsible prosecuted. Football & National Pride: Luka Modrić, turning 41 this week, has confirmed he will keep playing for Croatia and will be included in Slaven Bilić’s squad for UEFA Nations League matches against the Czech Republic, England and Spain. Local Safety Crackdown: Zagreb police seized 15 high-powered electric scooters after a two-day crackdown found riders breaking traffic rules, including issues with speed and power limits. Travel & Culture: Štrudlafest kicked off in Jaškovo near Ozalj, spotlighting traditional strudel-making and new festival workshops, while Dubrovnik’s September heat broke records with temperatures above 35°C and sea temps near 29°C.

Defense Modernisation: Croatia approved major purchases of South Korean Chunmoo rocket launchers, including 18 K239 systems worth about €544m (with delivery planned by 2029) to boost long-range, rapid target engagement, following earlier HIMARS buys. Energy Prices: Diesel at Croatian pumps could jump sharply next week as Iran-related tensions keep oil markets volatile, with analysts warning of steep per-litre increases. Aviation & Tourism Links: International Zagreb Airport welcomed the first direct China–Croatia passenger flight as Air China starts Beijing–Zagreb via Bucharest, while Air Canada also announced a big summer 2027 expansion that includes a new Dubrovnik–Montreal route from May 2027. Public Order in Dubrovnik: Police removed men who had glorified Ratko Mladić online, leading to fines and plans to revoke permits and end stays. Culture & Heritage: A restored historic sundial on Pag’s Cape Škamica and ongoing work on Đurđevac’s lowland fortress highlight fresh preservation efforts. Sports Spotlight: BRAVE CF 108 hits Pula Arena tonight with Croatian Andi Vrtacic headlining, and UFC has reportedly signed Croatian knockout artist Roberto Soldić.

Aviation & Tourism: International Zagreb Airport welcomed Air China’s first direct Beijing–Zagreb passenger flight on Sept. 4, operating three times a week via Bucharest and opening a year-round gateway for Chinese visitors and business links. Defense Procurement: Croatia is set to buy 18 South Korean Chunmoo K239 multiple rocket launchers in a €435.2m deal (excluding VAT), with rockets reportedly covering 30–300+ km and Poland’s WB Group TOPAZ command-and-control system to integrate the platforms. Maritime Science: A new Adriatic Sea fisheries unit was inaugurated in Split under the FAO’s GFCM to strengthen science-based fisheries management and cooperation across Adriatic countries. Population Update: Croatia’s population rose slightly in 2025 to 3,874,993 (+8,760), with growth concentrated in several coastal and central counties including Istria and Zagreb County. Local Life & Debate: A Krk restaurant controversy sparked online debate after Hungarian tourists were reportedly asked to leave for ordering only dessert during peak hours. Tech Marketing: Google expanded Waze Ads availability to Croatia and other select markets, rolling out Performance Max store-goal ad support beyond the US.