Plenković in Mostar: Filipović has realistic chances of success, and the Croatian people in BiH must have a legitimate representative

(Patria) - First and foremost, the message of support that Darijana Filipović received today for her nomination as a candidate for the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Croatian people is important.

Today, we heard from all actors that she enjoys their support, and that is consensual. We will, of course, as party leader, join that support - said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.

This evening's meeting between the delegation of the Croatian National Assembly of BiH, led by President Dragan Čović, and Plenković and his associates took place in an atmosphere of partnership dialogue, confirmation of a strong partnership, and continued strong support for the Croatian people in BiH, especially in light of today's decisions and clear messages about the need for legitimate political representation of the Croatian people in BiH, announced HDZ BiH.

At the meeting in Mostar, current political circumstances in Bosnia and Herzegovina, support for development and strategic projects in cooperation with Croatia were discussed.

Special attention was paid to further strengthening stability, the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and joint action in protecting the political rights of the Croatian people as one of the three constituent peoples.

The conversation emphasized the importance of Croatia's continuous support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the partnership with Croatia remaining an important pillar in political, economic, and developmental terms.

- We are developing cooperation in all areas, and numerous projects in Mostar and throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina confirm Croatia's lasting support. All ministers in the Government of Croatia have received a permanent mandate to support all joint projects of interest for strengthening relations between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina - stated Plenković.

The clear need to preserve a stable and functional Bosnia and Herzegovina was also expressed, especially in the period leading up to the General Elections.

At the press conference after the meeting, messages about the upcoming General Elections, the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the legitimate political representation of the Croatian people were further emphasized.

- Bosnia and Herzegovina is a democracy, and everyone has the right to express their political ambitions, plan their political decisions and candidacies. We will see if there will be more candidacies, and this will be discussed in the coming days and weeks among political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the HNS itself.

However, as far as I know, Filipović is the only one with realistic chances of success, i.e., winning the elections. In any case, we want the Croatian people to have their legitimate representative in the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

And I am sure that Filipović, who is now extremely experienced, will lead an excellent campaign and win the support of as many voters as possible - said Plenković.

Relations with Hungary and current political circumstances concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider regional context were also discussed.

- First of all, I congratulate the winner of the elections on their convincing victory. This is a member of the European People's Party and another of our families in the European Parliament, so the European Parliament, in terms of the total number of EPP members, will be further strengthened.

Of course, this is also an opportunity to once again reach a Croatian agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia - emphasized Čović.

- There has been a political change by the will of the voters. Last night I spoke with Péter Magyar and congratulated him on his very convincing victory. This is an opportunity to build relations on new foundations - said Plenković.

The HNS BiH delegation attending the meeting included the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto, the HDZ BiH candidate for member of the BiH Presidency from the Croatian people Darijana Filipović, the President of the Main Council of HNS BiH Božo Ljubić, the Secretary of HNS BiH Josip Merdžo.

Also present were Nikola Raguž on behalf of HSP BiH, Zrinko Čuvalo on behalf of HSP Herceg-Bosne and BiH, Miro Grabovac on behalf of HDU BiH, Pero Barbarić on behalf of HKDU Hrast, Anto Lozančić on behalf of HSS SR, Josipa Prskalo on behalf of HKDU, Milijan Nakić on behalf of HSP dr. Ante Starčević BiH, Ivica Kelava on behalf of HSP Pravaši, Sandro Jurković on behalf of Pokret HUM, and Ivan Krstanović on behalf of Hrvatska nezavisna lista.

In addition to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, the meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries David Vlajčić, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar, Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina Ivan Sabolić, State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia Zvonko Milas, Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Mostar Marko Babić, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dino Mihanović, and Advisor to the Prime Minister Tomislav Pokaz.