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MOSTAR, Mar 6 (FENA) – At the meeting with the Presidents of the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Serbia held in Mostar on Tuesday open issues and all the topics important for the future of these countries were discussed, said after the meeting the Chairman of BiH Presidency Dragan Covic.
- The essence of today's talks is related to the EU nlargement strategy, and we have sought common grounds on this strategy that could enhance our relations. I am convinced that the climate we have created today can help in future the executive authorities in all three countries to resolve the open issues that have long burdened us and which we have not been able to solve, and which are primarily related to our future - said Covic at the press conference held after the meeting of the top functionaries of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the foreign ministers of these countries.
He added that addressing these open issues was a prerequisite for building a better economic climate in all the three neighboring countries.
BiH Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic pointed out that the new EU strategy was a chance to address the biggest problem of each country, i.e. the emigration of young people.
He pointed out that he had insisted on stopping inflammatory rhetoric in the region and intensifying the work of mixed commissions dealing with bilateral issues.
He also touched on the construction of the Peljesac Bridge, adding that he was pleased with Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic’s saying that Croatia supports the right of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the open sea access.
BiH Presidency Member Mladen Ivanićc said that good relations among the three countries also meant good relations within Bosnia and Herzegovina itself.
President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic reiterated that the Republic of Croatia fully supported the European path of BiH and other countries of Southeast Europe and would act accordingly.
- Congratulations to Bosnia and Herzegovina on submitting answers to the EC Questionnaires. I hope and believe that the European Commission will soon issue a positive opinion and Croatia will certainly advocate for the candidacy and the date of the beginning of the negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina to be as soon as possible - said the Croatian President.
When it comes to economic cooperation, she added that she saw the opportunity in energy and transport connections.
- Demographic trends and depopulation are certainly the issues we are seriously dealing with in Croatia, but the trends in BiH also give me cause for concern. I believe that we can do a lot through joint cooperation to ensure the stay and survival of all three peoples and others in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Grabar Kitarovic.
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said that trade exchange among Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina was growing significantly, which was good for the economy of all three countries.
- This is the concrete outcome of each of our meetings - Vucic said.
According to his words, he discussed with BiH representatives infrastructure as one of the six initiatives of the new EU strategy and, in this context, the road connection between Sarajevo and Belgrade.
He added that at this point tax and customs rates and the subsidy rate should be taken into consideration.
- We need to try to create an almost single economic ambience . It has nothing to do with any 'Yugoslavias', but with the creation of a common market in the future, and no one will deprive me of the right to speak of the courageous idea that will, I am sure, win in the future. It is a matter of life and survival. We will not prevent young people from leaving until we provide them jobs and higher salaries, neither will foreign investors come to our country until we are a bigger market and they are sure of our political stability - said Vucic in his address to the media.
He expressed hope for a new trilateral meeting, and proposed that Novi Sad be host of the meeting.
(FENA)
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