Gjenero on the announced trilateral meeting: Cooperation between Turkey and Croatia can strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cooperation between Croatia and Turkey should not be viewed solely in the context of these two countries, as these relations also benefit Bosnia and Herzegovina, analyst Davor Gjenero told the Patria agency, commenting on the announced trilateral meeting between Turkey – Croatia – BiH, which is expected to be held soon.

Gjenero believes that the announced trilateral meeting is a good initiative for the entire region, primarily because, as he says, "Turkey is definitely an important regional player".

"It is clear that it is important for Sarajevo to strengthen both politically and economically, and this is precisely what can happen through the announced meetings," the analyst believes, recalling that the Turkey – Croatia – BiH trilateral meeting was also announced during Zoran Milanović's government, but it was never held, which, in his opinion, is a great pity.

 "Turkey is important to Croatia as an energy hub, and Croatia understands Turkey's significance for Europe in the context of migration control. Furthermore, Turkey and Croatia have a high degree of understanding because Croatia is one of the European countries that successfully communicates with, conditionally speaking, Turkish Islam. The Islamic Community in Croatia, despite all tensions, is extremely well politically integrated, close to public authorities regardless of who is in power in Croatia," Gjenero points out. He further believes that cooperation between Turkey and Croatia is also important from the aspect that Turkey can take on certain roles related to the internal consolidation of BiH through its membership in NATO and the EU, which is crucial for the country and the region.

It is precisely Turkey and Croatia, he says, that can advocate together for BiH within the NATO Alliance, where they are equal partners.

"In any case, cooperation between Turkey and Croatia cannot but have a positive impact on BiH. On the contrary, cooperation between Croatia and Turkey must be focused on BiH. For example, it is very important for Croatia that the TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) is developed. And with TAP, the issue of gasification of BiH is also being resolved. Then this whole story – in which BiH cannot connect to the Croatian gas system due to obstruction from Republika Srpska – would fall apart," Gjenero believes. He adds that there are many other pragmatic projects where the three countries can cooperate, from construction and the electrical industry to other important issues.

He recalls that Croatia traditionally has good relations with Turkey, which began to deteriorate due to some completely marginal issues, but Croatia, he says, has never stopped advocating for Turkey's EU membership concept.