A two-day intersectoral workshop “Stari grad Korčula 2025” was held on September 24 and 25 in Korčula, bringing together more than 40 participants from Croatia and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event gathered firefighters from Korčula, Lumbarda and Vela Luka, members of the Mountain Rescue Service, local police, conservators, museum professionals, and representatives of civil protection services. On the second day, experts from the Civil Protection and Firefighting Administration of Herzegovina-Neretva County also joined, giving the workshop a cross-border dimension.

Discussions focused on fire prevention in heritage buildings, emergency response, and the role of conservators and restorers in crisis situations. Participants also toured key cultural landmarks, including the Korčula Town Museum and the St. Mark’s Cathedral, to better understand the vulnerabilities of local heritage.

Experts from the Croatian Conservation Institute provided practical training on handling and evacuating artworks in case of fire or earthquake. Participants also received guidelines for the crucial first 48 hours of heritage protection, developed through the “CPforHeritage” project.

The workshop concluded with a nighttime firefighting drill in Korčula’s Old Town, simulating real emergency conditions.

The Croatian Parliament today voted against a proposal to formally recognize the State of Palestine. Out of 121 MPs present, 44 voted in favor, 4 abstained, and 73 opposed.

Lawmakers also voted on a separate proposal to suspend existing licenses for arms exports to Israel and to block new permits for transfers through Croatian territory. That motion was also rejected, with 46 in favor, 3 abstentions, and 71 against.

The debate comes just a day after President Zoran Milanović, speaking at the United Nations in New York, publicly stated that Croatia should recognize Palestine.

However, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman stressed that the conditions for recognition are not yet met. Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, he said: “Recognition at this moment is premature. Like some other key European countries, we believe that before such a step, it is essential to stop the conflict and secure the release of all hostages.”

The vote highlights a clear division in Croatia’s political leadership over the sensitive issue, as international momentum around Palestinian recognition continues to grow.

Croatia’s national ferry operator Jadrolinija transported 9.5 million passengers in the first eight months of 2025, matching last year’s result, while the number of vehicles carried rose 2% to 2.8 million, the company confirmed.

Both traffic and financial indicators point to stable growth and operations, according to Jadrolinija’s management. Asked about expected financial results for the year, the company stressed that while profit is not the sole measure of success, the outlook supports continued stability.

Looking ahead, Jadrolinija underlined that significant investments will be directed towards fleet renewal, maintenance, and enhanced safety measures. These remain the company’s strategic priorities, ensuring greater competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

The fifth edition of the humanitarian Lapad Run will take place on Saturday, September 27, at 9:30 a.m. in Lapad Bay, once again marking the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The race combines sporting enthusiasm with a powerful message about the importance of health. Interest has been overwhelming — all race spots were filled within days of registration opening.

“This makes us especially happy, because the race draws attention to the importance of prevention and the role of solidarity in fighting this serious illness. Once again, Dubrovnik’s citizens recognized the cause and responded,” said Du Motion director Alen Bošković, adding that part of the proceeds from race packages will go to the Dubrovnik League Against Cancer.

Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women, accounting for a quarter of all female malignancies in Croatia and nearly a third in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Nationwide, up to eight new cases are diagnosed daily, while in Dubrovnik, a new case emerges almost every third day. Early detection, however, significantly improves the chances of recovery, which is why awareness campaigns and regular check-ups are vital.

Lapad Run is part of these efforts, organised annually by Du Motion in cooperation with the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Public Health Institute.

The City of Dubrovnik has signed an agreement to co-finance its share of the EU project “Green Infrastructure Network: Gradac, Pile and Platana Parks”, worth €527,391.12. This amount represents half of the city’s required contribution from its own resources.

Earlier, the city signed a contract with the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds for a total project value of €6.61 million, of which €5.56 million is covered through the ITU mechanism under the Integrated Territorial Programme 2021–2027.

Work is already underway in Gradac and Pile parks, while public procurement for the renovation of Park Platana is in progress.

“All our strategic projects are aimed at making daily life for our citizens more comfortable and of higher quality. By investing in traffic solutions such as the Park’n’Ride system, we are reducing congestion and protecting the historic core, while the restoration of city parks creates green oases for leisure, recreation, and relaxation. This is the best way to turn European funds into tangible benefits for our citizens,” said Mayor Mato Franković.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has revised upwards its outlook for Croatia’s economy, projecting GDP growth of 3.2% in 2025 — up 0.3 percentage points from its May forecast. The upgrade is partly attributed to a strong tourism season.

In its latest Regional Economic Prospects report, the bank noted that Croatia’s economic growth slowed from 3.9% in 2024 to 3.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, as private consumption and investment eased. At the same time, inventory accumulation rose, while retail trade volumes decelerated and real wage growth moderated to 7% amid average inflation of 4.5%.

Despite these pressures, industrial production remained resilient, outperforming most regional peers, with goods exports continuing to show strength.

The EBRD maintained its cautious optimism for 2026, expecting steady growth supported by tourism and robust export performance.

Croatia’s car market is on the rise, with 51,968 new passenger vehicles registered between January and August 2025 — a 7% increase compared to the same period last year, according to provisional data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

Petrol-powered cars continued to dominate the market, with 25,085 registrations, followed by 16,466 hybrid electric cars and 7,380 diesel vehicles.

The strongest growth came from plug-in hybrids, which jumped 63.6% to 1,526 units, while hybrid electric models rose 35.5%. In contrast, battery electric car sales plunged 57.7% to just 535 units, and diesel sales fell 23.2%.

Across the European Union, overall new car registrations edged down 0.1% year-on-year in the same period, totaling 7.17 million vehicles.

Korčula is proving to be a year-round destination, with the first half of September showing a strong surge in visitors. From September 1 to 15, the island recorded a 10 percent increase in tourist arrivals and a 6 percent rise in overnight stays, according to Korčula Tourist Board Director Milijana Borojević.

“September is certainly not the off-season for Korčula,” Borojević commented, highlighting the island’s growing international appeal. Somewhat unexpectedly, the largest number of guests came from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom and then Croatia, confirming Korčula’s pull across the Atlantic as well as closer to home.

Another key trend this year has been the rise in hotel stays, reflecting changing preferences and the island’s ability to attract guests looking for higher levels of service and comfort.

Looking ahead, the outlook remains positive. “Expectations until the end of the year are strong, and October looks set to be another very busy month, with a number of major events planned,” Borojević added.

Korčula’s strong September figures are another sign that the island is successfully extending its season, blending natural beauty, cultural events, and hospitality into an offer that resonates well beyond the summer months.