Croatian lawmakers to debate agreement on air marshals

ZAGREB, Nov 26 (Hina) – On Friday lawmakers are expected to debate a final bill on ratifying an agreement with the United States concerning the deployment of Air Marshals and to incorporate its provisions in Croatia’s legal order.

The agreement defines the subject matter and area of application, relevant bodies to implement the agreement, operational procedures, general responsibility of both the country of departure and the country of arrival, training and technical support, as well as the issue of costs and dispute resolution.

It also defines the term air marshal, who is in charge of the security of planes and their passengers and crew and provides defence in combatting terrorism and other security threats.

The agreement contains provisions aimed at strengthening cooperation between parties to advance passenger safety in air  traffic or in combined air services and ensures a framework for the deployment of air marshals.

The agreement at the same time is one of the legal preconditions for joining the US Visa Waiver Program. That programme will enable Croatians to travel the United States without having to obtain a visa which is one of Croatia’s foreign policy priorities.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Tomislav Coric, and to vote on a bill on amending the Enforcement Act as as well as on the deployment of Croatian armed forces in international peace missions.