Croatia News - CroatiaPress.com

Zagreb, March 30 (CP) – An NGO gathering signatures of citizens in favour of a referendum being held on NATO membership of Croatia is claiming it had gathered 15,000 signatures during the first day of signing which is to last until April 12.

The Association for NATO Referendum spokesperson had said that organisation was pleased with the course of events.

Some 10 percent of electorate signatures are needed in order for parliament to be forced into calling a referendum on NATO membership.

The Organisation is not opposed to Croatia’s NATO membership, but its members believe that the citizens have a right to put forth their views on the issue via a referendum.

Recently, senior Croatian politicians, including PM Ivo Sanader have been claiming that a referendum on the issue was not necessary, as as many as 70 percent of citizens were in favour of Croatia’s NATO membership, according to recently held surveys.

The PM Ivo Sanader said on Saturday a referendum on the issue would be called if enough signatures were to be gathered.