First regulators' meeting held at the Croatian National Bank

Communication

The aim of the protection of market competition is primarily to create benefits for consumers and equal conditions for all entrepreneurs on the market, who, acting in accordance with the existing rules and competing on the market with the quality, price and innovation of their products and services, contribute to the overall development of the economy.

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First regulators’ meeting held at the Croatian National Bank

The first annual regulators’ meeting, held on 14 July 2025 at the Croatian National Bank, was initiated by the Croatian Competition Agency (AZTN) and brought together representatives of seven key supervisory and regulatory bodies of the Republic of Croatia: the Croatian Competition Agency, the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries, the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency, the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency, the Agency for Electronic Media, the Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency, and the Croatian National Bank as the host of the event.

The meeting was initiated by the Croatian Competition Agency and organized with the aim of strengthening cooperation among supervisory and regulatory authorities, as well as educating and informing the public about the vital role these institutions play in the economic and social system.

Opening remarks were delivered by Boris Vujčić, governor of the Croatian National Bank; Mirta Kapural, president of the Competition Council of the Croatian Competition Agency; and Damir Habijan, minister of justice, public administration and digital transformation. Governor Vujčić particularly emphasized the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and the independence of regulatory bodies as the foundation of an effective and stable institutional framework. The CCA president Mirta Kapural highlighted that the goal of such gatherings is the exchange of ideas and best practices, the encouragement of joint action, and the improvement of all regulators’ work through cooperation. Minister Habijan expressed the government’s support for the work of regulatory institutions, underlining their key role in protecting competition, consumer rights, and ensuring a transparent business environment.

Through discussions held in two panel sessions, participants emphasized the specific nature of regulatory work, including independence, the provision of adequate resources and expert staff, and clearly defined the scopes that distinguish regulatory bodies from other public institutions. Special focus was placed on the potential for greater interconnection through shared topics, knowledge exchange, harmonization of working conditions, and better public understanding of the regulators’ roles.

The first panel brought together the heads of regulatory authorities, who discussed the status and significance of regulators within Croatia’s institutional framework. The second panel was dedicated to the relationship between regulators and consumers, with particular focus on clarifying the actual scope of work of specific regulators and supervisory bodies, illustrated by concrete examples from their respective practice.

The holding of this event, which is set to become an annual gathering of specific regulators, marks a significant step forward in enhancing cooperation and communication among regulatory bodies, as well as in fostering their communication with the broader public.