PM: ‘If the Adriatic was Only Croatia’s I’d be Against Oil Drilling too’

The Croatian government’s decision to allow exploration and exploitation of oil and gas reserves along 15,000 kilometres of Croatia’s Adriatic sea has been met with strong opposition, and it seems Prime Minister Zoran Milanović is one of them, but as he said on national television last night, he is a realistic man…

Impacts to ecological resources, emissions from earth-moving equipment, and the potential disaster to tourism from spills are just a few reasons why many groups are up in arms with the news that drilling could start as early as 2016, and whilst being a guest on the TV show ‘Javna stvar’ last night, Croatia’s Prime Minister said that despite not being in favour of drilling, there was little he could do.

“When someone says that they are against exploration of oil and gas in the Adriatic, look, if the Adriatic was only Croatia’s sea, I would also be against it. But, considering the fact the Italy is here, who drill up to 1,000 places, if they find oil – do you think they will ask us for permission?,” said Milanović, adding that one needs to be realistic, and that he is a realistic man.

Those against the government’s exploration and exploitation of oil and gas plans can have their say with the Ministry of Economy currently having a public comment period until Sept 29. Comments can be sent to: [email protected]