Zagreb - The Croatian parliament on Friday amended the Maritime Domain and Sea Ports Act, which aims to ensure modern, rational and responsible management of the maritime domain.
The law was passed by 78 votes in favour, without opposition MPs who had walked out of the chamber after their demand for an emergency session of Parliament over the strike of judicial workers and the gas sales scandal was rejected.
The new law introduces a number of novelties, one of them being that concessions for the commercial use of state-owned coastal land would be issued for a maximum of five years.
Beaches will now be classified as public, natural and developed beaches, as well as special-purpose beaches, and there will no longer be hotel beaches. Beaches must be available to everyone, and no admission must be charged.
The new law abolishes concession licenses and introduces permits issued by the municipal or city council based on a public tender.
An institution for the management of the maritime domain will be established, as well as an expert council for planning and construction on state-owned coastal land. The concepts of environmental damage and environmental liability are introduced.
About a hundred amendments put forward by opposition MPs were rejected, while six amendments tabled by the government were adopted without discussion.