HDZ BiH: PDP and SDS halted further progress of NATO integration

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - After SDA publicly asked HDZ if they are for the NATO path and if they agree to SNSD's condition to form the BiH Council of Ministers without sending the Annual National Plan (ANP), the party of Dragan Čović responded.

In their response, they state that "HDZ BiH is the leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina's integration into the European Union and NATO."

"Political representatives of HDZ BiH have taken concrete steps towards EU and NATO membership in the past period. They advocate for active participation in integration processes, BiH's progress, and the fulfillment of all set conditions for BiH.

They claim that, unlike some political options in BiH that only declaratively advocate for EU and NATO membership while actually blocking BiH's progress, HDZ has proven its goals through its actions.

Thus, HDZ BiH considers it proof that Dragan Čović, as the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH on February 16, 2016, submitted the application for EU membership after the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between BiH and the EU entered into force on June 1, 2015. Another proof of HDZ's commitment to the European and NATO path is that Čović, again as chairman (by rotation), handed over the answers to the EC Questionnaire to the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in Sarajevo on February 28, 2018. HDZ emphasizes that Croats also contributed at that time.

They specifically address the support for the ANP within the Council of Ministers.

"Within the Council of Ministers of BiH, HDZ BiH officials proposed the adoption and sending of the ANP in accordance with the principles of NATO integration. Unfortunately, political options PDP and SDS have acted destructively multiple times (a total of 7; 5 in sessions, 2 in working versions), halting further progress of NATO integration and the execution of state duties. Through every action, Croatian officials have been guided by the priority goals of the HDZ BiH party, which are membership in the EU and NATO.

They further claim that Croatian political officials, members of HNS and HDZ BiH, by decision of President Dragan Čović and the party's Presidency, were appointed to key bodies in BiH institutions that contribute to the path towards the EU and NATO through their actions.

"By actively holding the positions of Minister of Defense of BiH (Marina Pendeš), Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH (Vjekoslav Bevanda), President of the Commission for NATO Integration Process of BiH (Josip Brkić), Head of the Commission for NATO in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH (Nikola Lovrinović), they have significantly contributed to progress towards NATO membership. Every decision, vote, and action they took was in accordance with HDZ BiH's decisions: positive, proactive, and a step towards BiH's progress in Euro-Atlantic integration.

And as a fifth point, HDZ states that the Republic of Croatia became a member of the NATO alliance in 2009 and provides intensive support for BiH's integration into this alliance within the organization.

"The Republic of Croatia is the biggest ally of Bosnia and Herzegovina, advocating for its stability, peace, development, and membership in the European Union and the NATO alliance. As sister parties, we share the same views and values on this issue as well," HDZ states.