AGP Executive Report

Croatia at the UN: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković used his UNGA address to call for protection of Palestinian civilians, uninterrupted humanitarian access and respect for international law, reiterating support for a negotiated two-state solution. Regional diplomacy: He also slammed Serbia at the UN over official honors for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, calling it an affront to victims and international court judgments. Rail and connectivity: Croatia’s wider region gets a boost as passenger traffic returns on Bosnia’s Una railway, with Una-Sana Canton securing funding to restart and maintain the line in Krajina. Business & industry: Končar presented a new hybrid electro-diesel train in Berlin at InnoTrans, built for routes with uneven electrification; the first unit is already in service on the Zagreb–Split line. Sports (Croatia-linked): Rangers goalkeeper and Croatian international Ivor Pandur is preparing for Nations League fixtures after his move to Rangers, while Croatia’s football scene also sees coaching news with Igor Jovićević reportedly set to return to Ludogorets. EU travel trend: Eurostat data shows Europeans are slowly shifting from buses to trains, with rail overtaking buses for the first time in a decade.

Energy & Industry: INA has started up a new Delayed Coking Unit at the Rijeka Oil Refinery after a €700m modernisation push, with the unit already running at about 70% capacity and meeting product specs; when fully operational it should boost diesel output by up to 30% and let the refinery process heavier crude grades. Border & Migration: Croatia’s Interior Minister Davor Božinović says the country backs Frontex operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, arguing that most migrants on the Western Balkan route reach Croatia from that direction, and wants stronger return capacity. Women’s Safety: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković marked Croatia’s National Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, calling for zero tolerance and highlighting tougher laws including femicide penalties. Tourism & Environment: Dubrovnik-Neretva County reports excellent sea-water quality at 121 of 127 beaches, with no beaches failing bathing standards. Culture: Pula’s ancient Roman sites are being transformed by Visualia Light Festival installations across 16 locations. Film: Montenegro selected the documentary “To Hold a Mountain,” a coproduction including Croatia, as its official Oscar candidate.

Croatia Waste Cleanup: Croatia has selected contractors for the removal and treatment of about 13,200 tonnes of illegally dumped waste at two Poznanovec sites, with work worth €11.7m expected to run 18 months, while cleanup continues at a former industrial site in Gospić. Energy & Industry: INA has started up its new delayed coker unit at the Rijeka Refinery, reaching around 70% of design capacity and boosting the plant’s ability to process heavier residues for more diesel and better energy security. EU Politics: Spain’s push to link recognition of Catalan, Galician and Basque as EU official languages to enlargement talks has been rejected by several member states, including Croatia, which argues the issues should stay separate. Economy & Society: A new analysis highlights why Croatian households favor property as wealth storage, while much of euro-area savings still sits in low-return cash and deposits. Sports & Culture: CRO Race begins today with six stages from Split to Zagreb, while Croatia’s Zagreb Opera Festival closes with a gala featuring tenor Piotr Beczała.

Croatia’s Healthcare & Tech: KBC Rijeka has started its new robotic digestive surgery programme, performing the first da Vinci procedures in digestive surgery with state funding and international proctoring. Energy & Industry: INA and MOL Group’s Rijeka Refinery Delayed Coker Unit has reached start-up, enabling heavier crude processing and cutting the need to import vacuum gas oil while boosting diesel output. EU Politics: Reuters reports the EU could lift sanctions on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mykhailo Fridman unless member states object, with Croatia backing a compromise. International Football (Croatia in focus): England’s Nations League plans are hit by withdrawals: Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Tino Livramento and Kobbie Mainoo are out, with James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White called up; Croatia is among England’s opponents. Sports (Cro Race): UAE Team Emirates-XRG names Tim Wellens to lead its title defence at the CRO Race in Croatia. Travel & Culture: EU Heritage Days highlights “Heritage at Risk,” with XRculture using AI, 3D and XR to protect endangered cultural sites.

England & Croatia Football: Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is set to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s England Nations League squad with a muscle injury, ending his brief return after being left out of the 2026 World Cup; doubts also hang over Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, just as England prepare to face Spain, Czechia and Croatia (in Rijeka) during the extended international break. Croatia Economy & Telecom: Croatia’s electronic communications market grew in Q2 2026, with revenues up 3.5% to EUR 920m, fibre lines rising to 523,888, and 46.1% of users on speeds above 300 Mbps; Hrvatski Telekom also tops Opensignal network performance rankings. Tourism Pressure: Croatia’s foreign tourist overnight stays rose only 0.5% in the first half of 2026, with weaker growth than most Mediterranean rivals. Local Governance & Costs: Split landlords are pushing back on a Destination Management Plan, arguing it favors hotels and resorts over small private accommodation. Environment Watch: Lika residents fear contamination after PFAS “forever chemicals” were found in nearby wells linked to a hazardous waste scandal. EU Policy: 17 EU states back a push to stop governments adding extra rules when implementing EU law, with Croatia listed among expected participants.

Davis Cup Push: Alexander Zverev powered Germany into the Davis Cup Final 8, beating Croatia’s Dino Prizmic 6-2, 6-4 in Halle to seal a 3-1 win; Great Britain also advanced after a 3-0 sweep of Ecuador, with Henry Patten and Neal Skupski closing the tie in doubles. Croatian Football Spotlight: Rijeka’s Ghanaian forward Daniel Adu-Adjei keeps impressing in the Croatian league, scoring once and adding two assists in a home win over Hajduk Split. Hospitality Price Transparency: Croatia is rolling out a new rule from 1 October requiring cafés and restaurants to show reference prices alongside current menu prices, including the price that applied on 10 September 2026. Budget Watch: Croatia’s state budget took in €17.3bn in the first half of 2026 but spent €19bn, with VAT and pensions driving both revenue and costs. Sports Injury Update: England forward Marcus Rashford is a doubt for upcoming Nations League matches after being forced off during Manchester United’s draw with Fulham.

Davis Cup (Croatia): Croatia’s Matej Dodig lost to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in Davis Cup qualifying, as Zverev won 6-4, 7-6 (3) and Germany took a 1-0 lead; Dino Prizmic later leveled the tie with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Daniel Altmaier, setting up Sunday’s doubles and reverse singles. Davis Cup (Czech Republic/USA): The Czech Republic stunned the United States 3-2 in Prague to reach the Final 8, with Jakub Mensik beating Ben Shelton and Jiri Lehecka clinching the deciding match. Consumer rules: From October 1, Croatian restaurants and cafés must show an “anchor price” on menus—what the same item cost on September 10—to make price changes easier to spot. Prices: Croatia’s consumer prices rose again in August, up 4.2% year-on-year, driven most by transport and housing costs. Transport: FlixBus expanded in Croatia to 258 destinations, marking a decade of operations in the country. Tourism/aviation: Ryanair adds 19 extra winter flights to Dubrovnik, keeping links to London, Dublin and Krakow and boosting year-round connectivity. Renewables: Eurostat reports renewables supplied 54.1% of EU electricity in Q2 2026, with Croatia at 92.2% mainly via hydropower. Sports (football): Raphinha’s hat-trick powered Barcelona’s 3-1 win at Sevilla, while Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic made his debut for Barça in goal.

Croatia Sports Spotlight (Davis Cup): Alexander Zverev gave Germany a 1-0 lead over Croatia by beating Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6, before Dino Prizmic leveled the tie with a 6-4, 6-3 win. Croatia in Football (La Liga): Barcelona kept their perfect start with a 3-1 win at Sevilla, with Hansi Flick handing Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic his debut after Joan García’s injury. Weather & Economy (Neretva mandarins): Southern Croatia’s Neretva Valley mandarins face a rough season after drought and intense heat scorched fruit, with later varieties warned of 30–40% lower yields. EU & Travel (Global Entry): The US lists Croatia among 23 countries whose citizens can qualify for Global Entry, speeding up immigration clearance. Local Life (Zagreb luxury event): Ferrari is set to bring its first Ferrari Lounge in Croatia to King Tomislav Square in central Zagreb from Sept 25–27.

Croatian Navy Anniversary: Croatia marked the 35th anniversary of the Croatian Navy in Split, with President Zoran Milanović stressing the fleet needs serious investment to meet today’s security demands. Energy Costs: Drivers are bracing for a potential diesel jump to around €1.95 a litre next week if the government doesn’t step in, tied to wider disruptions in global oil markets. Energy Security Debate: At the ENERGREEN 2027 conference, experts warned Croatia may struggle to match rising electricity demand without a stronger grid and more storage capacity, even as gas supply looks steadier thanks to LNG and infrastructure. Wildlife & Nature: One of the world’s most venomous fish—a pufferfish—was caught in Croatia’s Adriatic near Rijeka, sparking debate over whether it should ever be eaten. Archaeology: Excavations in ancient Salona (near today’s Split) uncovered a rare Roman burial where the body was placed face down, alongside glass vessels. Sports (Croatia-linked): Spain named its Nations League squad including players facing Croatia, while England recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer; Croatia’s October 3 Nations League match is on the calendar.

Croatia’s Energy Snapshot: Eurostat reports renewables powered 92.2% of Croatia’s electricity generation in Q2 2026, with the EU average at 54.1% (solar led at 41.6%). Retail Price Rules: Croatia is preparing for new “price anchoring” requirements from 1 October 2026, adding a reference historical price on top of the current one—HUP warns it could hit small businesses hardest. England vs Croatia Build-Up: After World Cup fallout, Thomas Tuchel recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer for Nations League matches, telling them nothing is guaranteed and they must “perform.” Davis Cup (Croatia in the mix): In the Davis Cup Final 8 qualifiers, South Korea took a 2-0 lead over India, while the other ties include Germany vs Croatia and Czech Republic vs USA. Croatian Sports Abroad: Milwaukee Bucks signed former VMI standout Jake Stephens, who played last season in Croatia with KK Split. Wildfire Impact in Croatia: A British couple on Brač described ash falling into drinks as wildfires forced guests to flee toward the sea.

England Nations League: Thomas Tuchel has recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to the England squad, alongside Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, as the Three Lions kick off their post-World Cup campaign against Spain on 26 September, then face Croatia and Czechia. Spain squad update: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named his Nations League group, with Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García ruled out by a knee injury and Inter’s Josep Martínez called up. Croatia sports & culture: Croatia’s Uljanik shipyard sale moves forward as the state restructuring agency accepts Turkey’s Kuzey Star bid for control of the Pula yard. Dubrovnik tourism: Dubrovnik is expected to stay among Croatia’s busiest destinations into autumn, with shoulder-season demand keeping Stradun and key sights packed. Adriatic discovery: Dubrovnik speleologists say they’ve documented five new sea cave sites along the coastline. Tech & mobility: Bolt and Lucid plan to deploy 25,000 robotaxis across Europe, betting on driverless travel at scale.

Croatian Rail Upgrade: Croatia has put its first domestically built electro-diesel bimodal train into service on the Zagreb–Split line, aiming to replace older tilting trains—though the journey still suffers from aging infrastructure and long travel times. Dubrovnik & Pelješac Tourism: Off-season Dubrovnik is getting attention for its calmer streets and easier sightseeing, while Ston’s visitor numbers remain strong even after the Pelješac Bridge and new roads reshuffled traffic. Public Health in Dubrovnik-Neretva: County leaders are pushing a county-wide network of publicly accessible defibrillators, with servicing plans and a target to go live within about a year. Local Sports Facilities: Work is underway at Čibača’s football grounds to improve player safety, with a bigger artificial-turf and sports-centre upgrade planned next. Cars & Mobility Trends: Croatia’s car fleet keeps growing fast, while public transport ridership is also rising—an interesting split as the country modernizes. Culture & Community: Zagreb Design Week opens with an Italian design focus, and Dubrovnik hosts the Women’s Bank Walk on Sunday to support women’s economic independence.

Dubrovnik Tourism Boost: Dubrovnik welcomed 1.05 million tourists so far this year, with arrivals and overnight stays up about 1% year-on-year, according to preliminary eVisitor data. Historic Restoration: Gradac Park in Dubrovnik reopened after its first full restoration since 1898, preserving 439 trees and adding new paths, lighting, and a revamped playground. Security Tensions: Croatia summoned Russia’s ambassador in Zagreb over alleged Russian security threats across Europe; Moscow rejected the claims as a “coordinated provocation.” Major Infrastructure Push: Croatia plans a new €200m+ expressway linking Požega to the A3 motorway, with a 16 km route, a 1,650 m tunnel, and a target completion by end-2029. Energy Shock for Europe: Saudi Arabia halted oil deliveries to Europe after a drone incident affecting a key pipeline—raising questions about knock-on effects for Croatia’s supply. EU Politics & Health: The European Parliament backed a cardiovascular prevention plan, while debate continues on the EU’s cancer strategy and how it tackles risk factors.

UEFA Sanctions & Croatia-England Nations League: UEFA has confirmed the Oct. 3 Croatia vs England match in Rijeka will be played behind closed doors, with Croatia barred from fans. England, however, will get a small delegation: 100 away supporters allowed after the FA appealed. Tourism & Travel Demand: United Airlines carried nearly 30,100 passengers between the US and Croatia’s coast in just three months (Apr–Jun), with Newark–Dubrovnik the standout route up 10.8% year-on-year. Wildfire Fallout in Croatia: On Brac, a resort fire forced hundreds of holidaymakers into sea evacuations; guests criticized the evacuation plan after reports of being told to “relax with a drink.” EU Policy & Croatia’s Role: The European Commission welcomed an AI initiative by 19 member states that includes Croatia, aiming to build commonly accessible AI services under state-aid rules. Economy Watch: Eurostat data shows Croatia among the countries with the biggest hourly wage cost increases in Q2 2026 (+8.9%), while industrial production rose in Croatia (+3.9% month-on-month in July). Nature News: Fota Wildlife Park in Cork announced the birth of two endangered red panda cubs, with names still to be chosen.

Wildfire Response: About 500 people, including British tourists, were evacuated from Brač island after a major wildfire broke out on 10 September, with the situation still volatile and travel advice urging caution around forest and woodland areas. Croatia in Europe’s Sports: Alexander Zverev returns for Germany’s Davis Cup qualifiers against Croatia in Halle, with Croatia’s squad featuring Marin Čilić and Dino Prizmic. Local Economy & Money: Croatian savers poured nearly €2 billion into 91-day treasury bills, far above the original target, showing strong demand for short-term state investments. Public Life in Split: Split’s seasonal late-night alcohol sales curbs ended today, restoring shop sales after 9pm. Culture & Heritage: Archaeologists in Salona near Split uncovered a rare face-down Roman burial with glass bottles and perfume-like vessels. Commemorative Coin: Croatia’s National Bank will issue a new €2 coin dedicated to Vukovar, featuring the Vukovar Water Tower in a record run of 500,000 pieces. Road Rules: From 1 March 2027, ENC motorway toll use will be tied to the vehicle’s registration plate, so one device can’t be swapped freely between cars.

Wildfire Crisis on Brač: Hundreds of British and other tourists were evacuated by sea after a major wildfire tore through Croatia’s Brač island, with reports of people fleeing into the water as embers and flames engulfed hotels and guests described a “wall of flames” closing in. EU Values Clash Over Mladić: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said images from Ratko Mladić’s funeral were “profoundly disturbing,” warning Serbia that glorifying war criminals and revisionism are incompatible with EU standards. Croatia Economy Watch: Croatia’s inflation picked up again in August to 4.2% year-on-year, driven by a sharp jump in transport costs (+13.5%) and higher household bills. Culture & Literature: British author Jane Cable will speak in Dubrovnik at the European Heritage Days event “Dubrovnik as My Inspiration,” discussing how the city shaped her novels and historical research. Tech/Industry: Pony.ai and GAC unveiled a new L4 autonomous heavy-duty truck in Europe, targeting logistics and port routes. Sports (England vs Croatia): Ticket info is circulating for England’s Wembley Nations League clash with Croatia on Nov. 12. Film Awards: Nominations are out for the 2026 Adriatic Film and TV Awards, with Croatian-linked titles among the leading contenders.