News in English     | 17.01.2018. 15:16 |

Grabar-Kitarović: Croatia will not interfere in internal matters of BiH

FENA Hana Imamović

SARAJEVO, January 17 (FENA) - President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who is on an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, rejected the claims of Croatia's interference in BiH's internal matters after meeting with members of the BiH Presidency, adding that lately a negative atmosphere has been created in the relations of the two countries.

“Croatia is obliged to observe the developments in BiH and to point out to the processes in a friendly manner, but this can by no means be interpreted as interfering with internal issues. Croatia advocates for the principles on which BiH is based - she stressed, adding that there may not be two countries that are more directed towards one another as it is the case with BiH and Croatia.

She said that it is of great importance to her to say that BiH is the homeland of the Croat people as well, but also wellbeing of all citizens and peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina is important for Croatia, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

“The fact that we advocate for the rights of the Croat people does not mean that we want these rights to the detriment of other peoples and citizens of BiH. Croats in BiH have never been a national minority, nor will they ever be. They have always lived here and it will continue to be so in the future," said Grabar-Kitarović.

She added that it is crucial to ensure the functioning of the institutions after the autumn elections in BiH, saying that the BiH legislation should not be written by international institutions and the international community, but by BiH elected officials.

“This requires political courage and wisdom, and I hope that politicians will find them for the benefit of their people. BiH has not had, nor will it have, a more vigorous advocate for the European path than it is the case with Croatia. Croatia is among the few countries that has argued that the credible efforts of BiH have to be acknowledged and we are working on it to get the other allies on board,” she said.

At the meeting with members of the Presidency of BiH, the delegations discussion the Election Law, and Grabar-Kitarović stated that in this respect it is important to abide to the decisions of the Constitutional Court in order to avoid the situation like the one in the City of Mostar.

“We want BiH to continue on the path of development, but we do not want to interfere in the particular elements of the election legislation reform. We have not imposed any solutions, but we are only trying to help solve problems. Legitimate representatives of the three peoples should discuss the solutions,” said the Croatian President.

Grabar-Kitarović also said that she was attributed the statements that she did not make, but when it comes to security, extremism and terrorism, these are issues for all countries that none of them can face in isolation, but a lot of work must be done to prevent any attacks on citizens.

She said that the ambiguities about this issue have been resolved and cleared during the talks between securities agencies of the two countries, and after that, these services have begun to cooperate more intensively.

Croatian President also wished that this area, after the 1990s conflict, becomes a region that would overcome mutual disagreements and continue to live in peace, and that this region becomes an example to other areas of the world.

To her, a prerequisite for lasting peace and stability in the region of Southeastern Europe for all countries is to become members of the European Union and NATO, and to resolve open issues within the framework of joint associations before they even become problems.

Grabar-Kitarović and Čović commented on the question of the construction of the Pelješac Bridge, and Croatian President expressed the view that the matter is not directed against BiH, nor the future development of Neum.

She reiterated that the question of building the Pelješac Bridge is an internal, developmental issue of Croatia that wishes to connect its territory, and thus it will also unburden the traffic load through Neum.

Čović added that BiH still has not adopted its developmental foreign policy strategy, but there is a possibility that it will be adopted today at the BiH Presidency session, while the Pelješac Bridge is a matter of two countries, and not individual nations.

“We will address it accordingly. We have no consensus on this yet. I am in favor of protecting the interests of BiH and we will do so. Neum is a strategic interest of BiH, and it is dominantly inhabited by the Croat people,” said Čović.  

He reiterated that the construction of the Pelješac Bridge is also a strategic interest of BiH, which can only complement the idea of ​​opening this part of the country for all citizens of Europe.

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(FENA) S. R.

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