Analysts: Petrov and Kovač's visit to Stolac is an unacceptable interference by Zagreb in BiH politics

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia Božo Petrov and Mirko Kovač visited Stolac yesterday, where the Local Elections were interrupted on October 2nd, due to an incident at one of the polling stations, writes Patria.

- By coming, we are showing that we care about Croats in BiH, that we will protect them without interfering in the political processes within BiH – Minister Kovač told reporters after a meeting with the mayor of this municipality, Stjepan Bošković.

The visit of the Croatian delegation to Stolac caused a wave of criticism in the BiH public. Some analysts assess that official Zagreb is directly interfering in the politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such a thing is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of the European Union, of which Croatia is a member. Does the visit to Stolac reveal that the current policy of Croatia has not renounced the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Admittedly, the reactions are more on social networks and among analysts, less among the ruling political parties in FBiH.

Božo Petrov i Miro Kovač danas borave u Stocu, jel ovo mijesanje u unutrasnje stavri #BiH ?!!

— Srđan Puhalo (@SrkiPuhalo) October 9, 2016

Only the SDP reacted sharply. They requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately deliver a protest note to Ivan Del Vechio, the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The SDA warned in a somewhat milder tone that the procedure was not respected during the visit of the Croatian delegation to Stolac. Their coalition partner SBB did not comment, and they are one of the three ruling parties in FBiH and one of the four parties in BiH government. The visit of Petrov and Kovač to Stolac is more dangerous for BiH, considering that the delegation from Zagreb came to Stolac in agreement with the HDZ of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a coalition partner in the FBiH government with SDA, and through them also with SBB.

Koja je svrha dolaska visoke delegacije iz Hrvatske u Stolac? Markiranje terena? Kome i za šta treba podrška... https://t.co/pjh6EhrQ2Q

— #samokažem (@lajfizbjutiful) October 10, 2016

- What is the purpose of the visit of a high delegation from Croatia to Stolac? Marking territory? Who needs the support of Croatian politicians and for what? Aren't these local elections where citizens elect local government? The only ones who need help are those from the Central Election Commission, as they are clearly unable to ensure the conduct of elections in Stolac.
Can't SDA and HDZ resolve the conflict on their own and call for partners? Should SDA now call a delegation from Turkey or what, to measure forces? – wrote political analyst Ivana Marić in her comment, writes NAP.