In several former meetings the representatives of various Croatian coastal counties expressed the need for co-ordination and harmonization of preparedness and response systems in their counties.

Consequently, ATRAC organised the „Co-ordination Meeting for the improvement of preparedness and response to oil spills“, which is to be held once a year, each time in a different coastal county. The initiative was supported by the Croatian Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, and Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy, whose delegates participated in the event.

The Co-ordination has gathered members of coastal County operational centres, coastal county representatives, and representatives of abovementioned ministries.

The goal of this Co-ordination meeting is to identify the differences between the existing preparedness and response systems of various counties, to exchange experience and subsequently define uniform standards in preparedness and response at the national level.

The program of the 1. Co-ordination meeting consisted of the following subjects:

• Presentation of activities from members of each County operational centre;
• Accidental marine pollution Risk Assessment;
• Response strategies in the Adriatic;
• National contingency plan – tiered response;
• Marine litter;
• Existing equipment and equipment inventory;
• „Adriatic 2018“ Exercise presentation.

Following the program and detailed discussion on the abovementioned subjects, mutual conclusions were drawn and given to consideration to the competent ministries.