Grabar-Kitarović and Milanović discussed the BiH Presidency in a TV debate

(Patria) - Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and Zoran Milanović, candidates for the President of Croatia in the second round to be held on January 5, discussed relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina during the last TV debate before the elections. The current president said that there is no partner for talks in the BiH Presidency, and that issues concerning Croats should be discussed with all Croats.

Grabar-Kitarović stated that her partner for talks should be the BiH Presidency, but since Željko Komšić was elected legally but illegitimately, she has no partner for talks in the BiH Presidency.

"I will continue to cooperate with Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina through discussions with religious communities, various associations, and citizens," said Grabar-Kitarović.

Milanović partially agreed that Komšić lacks legitimacy, but also that Milorad Dodik represents a political reality.

"Milorad Dodik and Republika Srpska are also here, which is what it is, it's a fact, despite all my reservations. There are, of course, Bosniaks as the numerically largest political corpus in BiH. There are also Croats, I am a Croat, the Croatian president, and I will have to take great care of this. It is a very delicate situation, and a solution will not be found overnight. I have known Mr. Komšić for years, but I am not under the illusion that things can be resolved overnight," said Milanović.

He stated that he would not behave like the Croatian authorities did when they dismissed an ambassador for attending the celebration of January 9 in Banja Luka, while simultaneously accepting the presence of HDZ BiH leader Dragan Čović at that event.

Grabar-Kitarović responded that she also believes that discussions should be held with the other two peoples, as well as with representatives of the European Union.

"BiH needs to be put on a different track in order to stabilize," she said.

She stated that her priority is for the Western Balkan countries to join the European Union during Croatia's presidency, provided they meet the membership conditions.

"There are open issues between the countries in the Western Balkans. I am pursuing a policy that is firmly committed to the European Union and NATO," she said.

Milanović emphasized that Croatia is stronger than Serbia.

"Nothing is gained by threats. We won the war, we are stronger. Our position is superior. One must know how to manage that," he said.