Čović: Meeting with SDA next week, Mostar should not be made a case city, we want to strengthen HDZ

(Patria) - The Presidency of the Croatian National Assembly (HNS) of Bosnia and Herzegovina discussed the issue of state property and the current political situation today, said HDZ BiH President Dragan Čović to reporters after the session.

He said that the three key guidelines are peace and stability, the European path, and the equality of constituent peoples.

Asked about the lifting of US sanctions on Milorad Dodik, as well as others, which resulted from lobbying, Čović said that lobbying is a practice worldwide.

“The lobbying of my colleague Dodik has been ongoing for about ten years, and he does it through the budget of the RS Government, but it has yielded results or coincided with the change of administration. The Croatian side does not have that type of lobbying nor can we allocate that money, but we do act through many communication channels in that direction. Without that, we probably would not be a political factor in BiH,” said Čović.

Asked whether he has neglected relations with the US administration and whether he has turned exclusively to the EU, Čović said that the US administration is key in BiH, but not only in BiH.

“I have met with the new chargé d'affaires four or five times, and he arrived two months ago. I think other representatives have also met with him. There are many communication channels that we maintain responsibly, and that will yield results,” said Čović.

Speaking about state property, Čović said that Annex 4 specified what belongs to BiH.

“It is unacceptable that we cannot build a highway through Mostar because someone is blocking that process. State property is also an obstacle for some private investments. The High Representative said that he will have to correct the decision. I think that some 15 billion marks worth of investments are stalled because of this, and the property must be put to public use. People do not want to participate in this,” said Čović.

He said that there are many threesomes and fivesomes, referring to the gathering of opposition Croatian parties.

"I am convinced that they are thinking well and that they have a vision for the Croatian people. Elections are in 11 months, and I will do everything on our part so that the policy I lead receives convincing support from the residents of BiH and the Croatian people. The goal is to strengthen our role at the table, and to everyone else, good luck," said Čović.

He said that the EC Report noted that BiH has not done the key work.

"Let someone explain to me why we are unable to adopt two important laws that have been waiting for a year, on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (VSTV) and the Court of BiH. If we have agreed on everything regarding the chief negotiator, who nominates him, which people he is from, why are there now clever remarks and conditions that he cannot be that person. And then you try to adopt some conclusions in one house of the Parliamentary Assembly, the House of Representatives, which is illegal and unconstitutional," said Čović, adding that he is very optimistic.

He said that there is no agreement with the SNSD regarding the blockade of the House of Peoples.

"There is no blockade, and the fact that we could not be physically present, I asked colleagues to understand that. Regarding replacements, there are systems of deterrence. We have that in the Presidency and in the houses of peoples. Those who schedule meetings are required by decency to call colleagues. I also drew the attention of colleague Ademović. There is no blockade, but the fact that we could not be physically present is something else," said Čović.

He added that he talks to everyone and has held a series of meetings, including with the opposition from the RS, and that he will meet with the SDA next week.

"I think that with the SDA we will finish these meetings next week to present our position to everyone. Let's get serious, let's open the negotiation process with the EU, we only need the appointment of a negotiator and two laws, nothing more than that," said Čović.

Speaking about the situation in Mostar, he said that the latest situation has crossed all measures of taste.

“To all those who are trying to make a case out of the city of Mostar, the message is that we stand firmly behind Mayor Kordić, and to all those who are trying to realize their issues outside the framework of the law, the message is clear that they must return to the framework of the law. An attempt is being made to do something similar at the BiH level, but we will not allow that. It is unacceptable for anyone to do anything in Mostar without permits,” said Čović.