Croatia and BiH: A Call for Friendly Dialogue

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Croatian National Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by President Mario Pejić, has initiated talks between political representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia on all open issues between these two friendly countries, calling for friendly dialogue, consensual problem-solving, mutual understanding, and good neighborly relations. 

In line with this initiative by the HNV of BiH, the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Željko Komšić received yesterday in Sarajevo the Member of the Croatian Parliament, President of the "Nova politika" party, and candidate for President of the Republic of Croatia Vlaho Orepić, and the President of the Croatian National Council of BiH Mario Pejić. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the "Nova politika" party Ivica Nikolac and Mirko Sušić, and the founder of HVO Sarajevo and coordinator of "Nova politika" in BiH, emeritus Prof. Dr. Marinko Pejić. The meeting highlighted the need to resume discussions between the members of the Presidency of BiH, as an institution with constitutional authority to conduct foreign policy, and high-ranking officials of the Republic of Croatia, with the aim of resolving open issues between the two countries, with an emphasis on maritime border demarcation.

Following yesterday's visit to Sarajevo, Vlaho Orepić thanked the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Željko Komšić for the reception and constructive conversation: 

“Communication and cooperation with authorities for the purpose of timely information, protection of the rights and interests of the Croatian people in BiH is an elementary political necessity. I would say it is also a matter of political hygiene. A whole series of open issues, as well as misunderstandings that burden the relations between the Republic of Croatia and BiH, are a consequence of a lack of communication and the non-acceptance of election results by those who participated in the election process and lost. One of the political stances that further burdens the relations between the Republic of Croatia and BiH is the one that questions the construction of the Pelješac Bridge. This stance is unsustainable and should not be brought into the context of resolving border issues between the Republic of Croatia and BiH. The issues that should be given importance at this moment are: the realization of BiH's NATO perspective, the migrant crisis, care for workers and efforts to preserve jobs in the "Aluminij" plants, and the return of Croats to the area of Republika Srpska. First and foremost, it is necessary to initiate the process of reconciliation of social contradictions, i.e., gradual value convergence, by eliminating the causes of value differences among the constituent peoples in the territory of BiH. Following this, we have announced the political engagement of the Nova politika party in BiH.”

“The vital interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia are the development of good neighborly and friendly relations based on mutual respect, reciprocity, constructive dialogue, full recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, as well as the international and legal subjectivity of the two states, and the lasting historical interdependence of their citizens and peoples in all areas. Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia have the responsibility and obligation to care for regional security and stability, Euro-Atlantic integration processes, democratic development, fair resolution of border and property issues, utilization of natural resources, and the construction of transport infrastructure,” said the President of the HNV of BiH Marijo Pejić.