AGP Executive Report

Nord Stream Probe in Croatia: German prosecutors say a Ukrainian “trained scuba diver,” Vladimir Z. (also linked to Volodymyr Zhuravlyov), was arrested in Pula and could be extradited to Germany over the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline blasts. Tech & Mobility in Zagreb: Uber, Pony.ai and Verne launched autonomous rides in Zagreb via the Uber app, with a licensed safety operator monitoring at first and service expanding over time. Local Economy & Policy: Croatia’s euro-era bank profits are set to face a 50% tax on “excess” profit, aimed at curbing overheating after strong earnings. Sports — Zagreb Gymnastics: Rhys McClenaghan and Eamon Montgomery qualified for apparatus finals at the European Championships in Zagreb. International Tensions: Russia has begun importing fuel, with Reuters reporting gasoline shipments from India, as Ukrainian strikes hit Russian refining capacity. Culture & Tourism: Outer Banks’ final season includes filming in Croatia, with Dubrovnik among the locations.

Nord Stream Case: Croatia’s police arrested a Ukrainian scuba diver, Vladimir Z. (Volodymyr Zhuravlyov), in Pula on a European warrant, making him the second suspect tied to the 2022 Baltic Sea blasts. German prosecutors say he took part in dives and helped plant explosives near Bornholm, targeting Nord Stream 1 and 2; Germany now seeks extradition for trial. Sports & Zagreb Interest: Air China is launching a new Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb route from 4 September, with three weekly flights, aiming to boost Chinese tourism and business links with Croatia. Local Culture & Leisure: Dubrovnik opened its first dedicated pickleball centre on Babin Kuk, offering free try-outs until 22 August, as the sport expands across Croatia. Infrastructure: Construction has started on the second and third phases of the Drniš bypass, a €38.5m project meant to cut through-traffic and improve connections in Šibenik-Knin County.

Champions League in Zagreb: Dinamo Zagreb got a “dream start” in their play-off opener against Viking Stavanger, with Dion Beljo and Mateo Lisica scoring early before Viking fought back to draw 2-2, setting up a tense second leg. Local sport spotlight: Viking’s Zlatko Tripic also found the net in the comeback, while the wider play-off picture includes other first-leg results across Europe. Omiš fire fallout: Business owners and private landlords near Omiš are pushing for an emergency government package—tax, tourism, chamber and local-charge relief—arguing help shouldn’t only cover properties that burned, but also those left without guests and income. Heatwave pressure on the economy: Croatia’s extreme heat is now being framed as a direct business risk for tourism and agriculture, with the State Hydrometeorological Institute warning of rising warm days and productivity impacts. New toll system: Croatia’s motorway toll collection is moving to a unified electronic setup with free-flow passing, keeping ENC as a key option while plate recognition handles passenger cars and ENC becomes mandatory for heavy vehicles. Zagreb event calendar: The 2026 European Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships run Aug. 19-23 at Arena Zagreb, with Rhys McClenaghan returning after injury and Illia Kovtun competing for Croatia.

Croatia’s Parliament Under Pressure: President Zoran Milanović has requested an extraordinary session over illegal hazardous waste dumping at the Bilajska 50 site in Gospić, warning of urgent groundwater and environmental risks and pushing for rapid remediation, tighter monitoring, and a new Chief State Inspector. Fire Investigation in Zadar County: Croatian police detained four suspects over alleged coordinated arson across ten locations in Zadar County, including damage to a car and dozens of olive trees, as prosecutors decide on charges. Tourism Demand in Istria: Istria is seeing a surge in last-minute holiday bookings, with about 80% of remaining capacity reportedly sold late, pushing private accommodation providers toward more flexible stays and pricing. Dubrovnik Sports Growth: Dubrovnik opened its first dedicated pickleball centre on Babin Kuk, part of a wider Croatian expansion of the fast-growing sport. Energy Watch: Croatia’s power system hit a record hourly load of 3,400 MWh during the heatwave, with operators noting the challenge of rising distributed solar generation. Property Market Signal: A new analysis says homes within 100 metres of the sea in Croatia are priced nearly 30% higher than those more than a kilometre away.

Wildfire & Heat Crisis: Croatia’s heat is setting new records, with DHMZ reporting longer, health-impact heat waves at Rijeka (20 days) and Split (19), alongside fresh “very high danger” heat-risk duration records—conditions blamed for fueling the destructive fire season, including the Omis blaze that injured dozens. Firefighting Aid: Croatia has approved sending two Canadair CL-415 aircraft and crews to Bosnia and Herzegovina to help tackle wildfires near Bosansko Grahovo, where ground work is restricted due to landmine risks. Local Solidarity: Dubrovnik is donating €150,000 to fire-ravaged Omiš, citing a 35-year debt of friendship after Omiš soldiers helped defend Dubrovnik in 1991. Archaeology: A massive Roman-era sarcophagus sealed for over 1,500 years has been unearthed in Cavtat near Dubrovnik, offering a rare look at Late Antiquity burial practices. Zagreb Sports & Culture: Gymnast Eamon Montgomery says Rhys McClenaghan’s success has “knocked down the wall” for Irish athletes ahead of the men’s European Championships in Zagreb. Tech & Travel: Croatia’s fuel prices have risen again (new petrol/diesel rates), while Dubrovnik continues to draw crowds—City Walls logged 502,200 visitors in the first seven months of 2026.

Wildfire Crackdown in Zadar County: Police arrested four people suspected of deliberately starting fires at 10 locations across Zadar County, seizing a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition. Investigators say the suspects acted on a pre-planned agreement on Aug. 14-15, using open flames or lighters, with incidents reported from Zadar to Benkovac and Škabrnja. Ferry Disruption to Italy: Jadrolinija cancelled Croatia–Italy routes after its largest ship, Dalmacija, suffered a serious engine failure, suspending Dubrovnik–Bari and affecting Split connections to Bari and Ancona during peak August travel. Dubrovnik Tourism Surge: Dubrovnik’s City Walls have already passed 500,000 visitors this year, with 502,200 people walking the fortifications in the first seven months of 2026. Zagreb Book Scene: Zagreb opened its first English-language second-hand bookshop, with about 6,000 titles, including roughly 3,500 in English. Tech & Mobility: Uber and Pony.ai plan to expand their robotaxi partnership beyond Zagreb, aiming for more than 2,000 robotaxis across additional European cities.

Wildfires & heat across the region: Europe’s record-breaking summer continues to fuel deadly blazes and evacuations, with Croatia also in the mix as firefighters respond to fires and authorities warn of ongoing risk. Croatia wildfire response: A major fire on the Pelješac Peninsula has been stopped from spreading, but crews will stay on watch as strong winds and hot conditions could trigger flare-ups. Border fire incident: A fire broke out in the Croatia–Serbia border area near Ilok, burning on both sides before being mostly extinguished; firefighters remain overnight to prevent a restart. Dubrovnik jobs boost: Unemployment in Dubrovnik-Neretva County has fallen to a historic low of 4.9%, down sharply from 12% in 2020, with tourism still driving seasonal hiring. Sports—Croatia youth water polo: Croatia’s U20 men won the European Championship in Varna, beating Spain in the final, adding to a standout summer for Croatian youth teams. Tech & mobility: Pony.ai and Uber expand plans for over 2,000 robotaxis across Europe, including services already operating in Zagreb. Culture & arts: A Croatian-linked international arts moment: Marina Carr’s work is being translated for stage in Italy with a production that also tours Croatia.

Wildfires in the Balkans and Adriatic: Firefighters are still battling blazes across Bosnia and Herzegovina, including a spreading fire near Bihać where crews can’t easily reach the flames because it’s burning in a mine-suspected area; local authorities are coordinating response and asking for air support. Croatia wildfire fallout: On Croatia’s coast, a major fire near Omiš has left at least one dead, dozens injured, and about 1,000 residents and tourists evacuated, with strong winds driving the spread; police have arrested four people suspected of starting fires in the region. Local security push: In Zadar County, four more suspects were arrested after tips from citizens about suspicious behavior linked to a series of fires, as firefighters continue work including on Dugi Otok. Weather relief on the way: Croatia is set for a change at the start of next week, with showers, thunderstorms and locally strong winds after a hot Sunday. Cost of living in Dubrovnik: A new survey shows Dubrovnik-Neretva families paying nearly €749 for a standard monthly shopping basket, among the highest in Croatia. Housing support: Dubrovnik is expanding grants for young families and first-time buyers, offering up to €45,000 under a new “30 x 45” scheme. Wealth snapshot: UBS reports Croatia ranks third globally for personal wealth growth from 2020 to 2025, with wealth per adult rising about 29% on average. Zagreb spotlight: The European Gymnastics Championships continue in Zagreb, with BBC coverage featuring Matt Baker and Croatian fans watching local and visiting athletes.

Wildfires in Croatia: A major blaze near Omiš has killed at least one person, injured dozens, and forced around 1,200 residents and tourists to evacuate, with flames spreading fast through pine forest and prompting dramatic sea rescues; by Saturday morning the fire was reported calmer and under control, but the Red Cross says people still need help with transport, documents and trauma support, while officials stress better prevention and settlement protection. Local Impact in Omiš: Reports from residents describe the fire arriving in about 45 minutes and homes left without water as power failed, with some families fighting flames with shovels and children moved to safety. Aviation & Tourism: Croatia’s airports saw stronger passenger numbers in the first half of 2026 (about 5.5 million, up ~3%), with Zagreb leading and preparing for a new long-haul Air China connection, while Dubrovnik extends its international season. Dubrovnik Housing: The city boosted housing grants for young families by 50% to €45,000 under a new 30x45 scheme. Fuel Prices: Croatian drivers face a fuel price jump next week, with diesel expected to rise by up to 11 cents per litre. Tech Mobility: Uber and Pony.ai plan to expand robotaxi service in Europe, building on the commercial launch in Zagreb and aiming for 2,000 robotaxis across additional European cities.

Wildfires in Croatia: A severe blaze in the Omiš area has killed at least one person and injured dozens, with around 1,200 residents and tourists evacuated as flames swept from Lokva Rogoznica toward Omis; Croatia’s fire chief called it among the worst in recent years, and officials say the situation is improving while Red Cross teams keep helping with transport, documents and contacting relatives. Coastline firefighting: On Pelješac, 250 firefighters and 73 vehicles tackled a wildfire near Kuna Pelješka, with authorities saying flames were pushed away from buildings; meanwhile, a separate Dugi Otok fire was fought overnight with Canadairs requested and homes reportedly defended. Regional heat crisis: Across Europe, record heat and drought are driving evacuations and major blazes, with France reporting hundreds arrested over suspected arson and Germany and Belgium also hit by large fires. Zagreb business & daily life: Croatia’s food prices edged up in July, and the gap between the most and least expensive counties widened, with Zagreb among the higher-cost areas. Tech in Zagreb: Pony.ai and Uber plan to expand their robotaxi partnership from Zagreb into more European cities, aiming for over 2,000 robotaxis.

Wildfires Crisis: A fast-moving wildfire near Lokva Rogoznica and Omiš on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast has killed at least one person, injured dozens (42 reported, with seven in life-threatening condition), and forced roughly 1,200 evacuations, with parts of Omiš losing power and homes, cars and boats damaged or destroyed. Emergency Response: Croatian authorities staged a major sea-and-coast rescue, with people escaping by boat and shelters set up in Omiš, Dugi Rat, Makarska and Split; the blaze was brought under control but damage assessments continue. Travel Disruptions: Road closures near the coast affected links between Split and Dubrovnik and threatened peak-season tourism capacity. Cross-Border Alerts: Croatia’s foreign ministry issued guidance to Bulgarians to monitor updates and road conditions, while Hungary’s foreign minister said Hungarian citizens affected by the fire are safe and consular teams are assisting evacuees. Regional Solidarity: Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico said Slovakia is monitoring the situation and offered help to Croatia’s PM Andrej Plenković.

Wildfire Crisis in Dalmatia: A fast-moving blaze near Lokva Rogoznica and Omiš has killed at least one person, injured 40 (seven in life-threatening condition), and forced about 1,000 evacuations, with many tourists among those displaced; Prime Minister Andrej Plenković called it one of the worst fires in recent years as parts of the main coastal road near Omiš were closed and homes, cars and boats were damaged. Europe Heatwave Fallout: The same extreme heat and drought are driving major fires across Europe, with evacuations also reported in France, Germany, Greece and the UK, stretching emergency services and threatening homes and historic sites. Robotaxi Push in Croatia and Beyond: Uber and Chinese autonomous-driving firm Pony.ai plan to expand their commercial robotaxi partnership to 2,000 vehicles across additional European cities, building on Zagreb’s earlier robotaxi rollout with Verne. Zagreb on Screen: Hollywood actors Sean Penn and Adrien Brody have started filming a Ukraine-linked thriller in Zagreb, with production set up around the Esplanade area.

Croatia in the spotlight: Croatian football coach Zlatko Dalić has been officially unveiled as UAE national team head coach in Dubai, returning to the Gulf after nine years leading Croatia and aiming for the 2030 World Cup. Tourism & Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik is leaning into big-name culture and summer buzz, with opera legend José Carreras set to perform outside the Cathedral on Aug. 27, while a new Revolut card pickup option is rolling out at Dubrovnik Airport for arriving tourists. Local life & safety: A wildfire broke out on the northern side of Šipan, bringing 27 firefighters and two Canadair aircraft into the response. Sports (Zagreb/Croatia angle): Hajduk secured a Conference League play-off spot with a 4-0 win over Žalgiris, and Croatian swimmer/relay coverage continues at the European Athletics Championships, where Croatia’s Marino Bloudek took silver in the men’s 800m. Tech & mobility: Reuters reports Pony.ai and Uber plan to expand robotaxi operations from Zagreb to four more European cities.

Croatia Coast Search: A body was found near Krk during the search for Portuguese tourists missing after a storm swept their small boat into the Velebit Channel; Croatian authorities say the discovery came from an aerial search, with rescue teams continuing for the remaining missing person. Dubrovnik Traffic Enforcement: Dubrovnik police used a drone operation to catch 65 traffic offences in one day, with seat-belt violations the most common. Zagreb Arts: Okolo festival returns 20–30 August, turning seven central Zagreb locations into open-air contemporary art spaces with themes of “emotional networks” and “layers of memory.” Sports—Swimming: Croatia is listed in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay finals lineup for the European Championships, with lane details including Croatia in lane 3. Tourism—Campaign Boost: Croatia’s tourism push starring actor John Malkovich has drawn 17.3 million views since launch, according to the national tourist board. EU Policy—Food Labels: A new report looks at Europe’s front-of-pack nutrition labels beyond Nutri-Score, noting harmonisation is unlikely and highlighting schemes used by countries including Croatia.

Tourism Push: Croatia’s tourism minister Tonči Glavina says last-minute bookings are “saving August,” citing eVisitor data showing 12.4m arrivals and 59.1m overnight stays in the first seven months, up 1% year-on-year. Heatwave Watch: The Adriatic coast remains under a red heat warning, with Dubrovnik hitting 39.1°C and Split 39.7°C, while sea temperatures stay warm at around 27°C. Astronomy Moment in Dubrovnik: A partial solar eclipse lit up Dubrovnik’s sunset, with the Moon taking a “bite” out of the Sun just before it slipped below the horizon. Local Economy & Work: Zagreb’s average net salary rose to €1,758 in May, but the median net pay stayed at €1,500, highlighting a wide earnings gap. Adriatic Safety: Two Portuguese tourists were rescued after their inflatable boat drifted off the Velebit Channel; two others remain missing as search teams battle strong Bura winds. Sports & Culture: Adidas is partnering with Zagreb’s Cibona for the 2026/27 season, while Zlatko Dalić has been named UAE national team coach. Travel Security: EU ETIAS has been delayed indefinitely, and authorities warn travelers not to apply or pay scammers claiming to sell digital authorisations.

Heat & Drought Watch: Split hit a new all-time record high of 39.7°C, while Dubrovnik also broke temperature records as Croatia’s heatwave and drought keep pushing wildfire risk and stressing rivers used for shipping. Youth & Work in Croatia: New stats mark International Youth Day: Croatians aged 16–29 leave home at an EU-latest average of 31.5, with 89.1% still living with parents, even as youth employment and unemployment have improved. Dubrovnik Tourism & City Life: Dubrovnik’s 2026 pace edges up (over 2.55m overnight stays since Jan 1), while Konavle logged a 3.8% jump in July nights; meanwhile the city is tackling stormwater flooding with a €1.27m drainage milestone on Iva Vojnovića Street. Safety & Accountability: Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković said a Gorica overnight blaze was likely caused by fireworks, warning that carelessness in extreme dry conditions can turn into disaster. Sports (Croatia-linked): Zlatko Dalić is appointed UAE national team coach after leaving Croatia, and Croatia’s Marino Bloudek is mentioned in the context of European 800m action in Birmingham. Zagreb Economy: Zagreb’s average net salary reached €1,758 in May, but the median net pay is €1,500—half of workers take home less. International News with Croatia ties: UN-backed MINURSO names Pakistani Maj. Gen. Jawad Ahmed as force commander, and a Portuguese sailing group missing off Croatia saw one person found alive near Krk as the search continues.