Zagreb - Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Saturday that the €23 million construction of a new primary school in Cavtat, €18 million of which is financed with EU funds, demonstrated the tangible benefits of Croatia's membership of the European Union.
Speaking after touring the construction site, Jandroković said the school would enable single-shift teaching and improve conditions for pupils and their families.
"The school is truly impressive. It will have capacity for 560 pupils, or more if needed. Demographic trends in Konavle are also encouraging, with the population and the number of young people growing year after year," he said.
Jandroković said Dubrovnik-Neretva County was implementing projects worth hundreds of millions, and in some cases billions, of euros.
"Large-scale investments are under way in Dubrovnik-Neretva County and across Croatia. EU membership, substantial funding from European funds and a stronger economy have made it possible to deliver projects of this scale. It is a remarkable transformation, although much work still lies ahead," he said.
He recalled that Konavle had been devastated during Croatia's 1991-95 war but had since recovered and was now experiencing rapid development.
Konavle Mayor Božo Lasić said the project had been made possible through cooperation between the state, the county and the municipality.
The school is expected to be completed in August, followed by technical inspections, and could welcome pupils in the second half of the next school year, he said.
Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Blaž Pezo said the long-awaited project would meet the area's educational needs and noted that a multi-purpose sports hall had also been built alongside the school for use by pupils and the wider community. He added that similar projects were being implemented across the county.