Čović and Plenković discussed in Mostar

MOSTAR, (Patria) - HDZ BiH President Dragan Čović met today in Mostar with HDZ President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.

The discussion focused on the continuation of support for Croats in BiH, further cooperation on Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path, achieving equality for all three constituent peoples in BiH, as well as projects of the Government of the Republic of Croatia that are important for the position of Croats in BiH.

Also, the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the signed agreement for Mostar, and amendments to the Election Law were discussed.

President Čović emphasized after the meeting that HDZ BiH, with its partners, wants to win all mayoral and city mayor mandates in areas where Croats are the majority.

“I informed President Plenković about Mostar, where an exception was made, so Mostar is again separate, and I also informed him about how the agreement on Mostar also meant an agreement on the election law,” Čović emphasized.

When asked by journalists how he commented on Izetbegović's statement that “Komšić” could continue to be elected at lower levels of government, he replied:

“We are used to that, sometimes it is said publicly, and sometimes like this, as has been done for the last 15 years. I told Izetbegović that we had a similar example with Sejdić and how to fill quotas and how it ended. I strongly recommended that such practices and statements be stopped. I assessed the latest statement as a moment when Izetbegović needed to relieve the pressure he has within his party, and from his officials through legal processes in BiH, because he knew that our reaction would follow and that it would overshadow some things,” he stated.

Plenković said that they will continue to support Croats in BiH.

“We will support BiH because Croatia is convinced that this is the only right path and our true role at this moment, respecting BiH as a neighboring and friendly country, respecting its sovereignty, and above all, respecting and acknowledging the political parties and institutions that should agree on further issues related to the functioning of BiH through internal agreements,” Plenković said.

He emphasized that it is important for Croatia that the principles of equality are respected in this context, especially for Croats as the smallest constituent people.

“After 12 years, Mostar will have elections, which is a special challenge, and I believe that HDZ BiH, as well as other parties within the Croatian National Assembly of BiH, will achieve a quality result and gain support for their policies and programs, and take responsibility in local self-government units after the elections this autumn,” Plenković emphasized.