Ivan Pernar for NAP: Croatia's influence in Brussels is small, we cannot help BiH on its path to the EU

Croatian media describe Ivan Pernar of 'Živi zid' as the most cited parliamentary representative. He reached this position in just a few weeks, practically from the street, where he organized more or less successful street protests until entering Parliament on September 11th this year.

The 'rebel from the street' was born in 1985 in Zagreb.

In an interview for the Patria News Agency, Pernar talks about why Bosnians Croats should turn more towards Sarajevo and less towards Zagreb, answers the question of whether Croats in BiH are a constituent nation or a Croatian diaspora, and how much Croatian politicians can actually help Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the European Union, as they constantly promise.

- When I tell Croats in BiH to turn towards Sarajevo, I tell them that because only in Sarajevo can they solve their problems. Zagreb cannot help them. Zagreb is not even capable of solving the problems of Croats from Croatia, so how will it solve the problems of people coming from BiH – says Pernar.

- If Zagreb could solve their problems, then I would say to turn to Zagreb, but unfortunately, it cannot. I only speak the truth, and the truth is as it is. President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković know this, but they do not want to announce it publicly – says Pernar.

When asked why politicians from Croatia always refer to Bosnians Croats, why there is so much interest from official Zagreb in internal developments in BiH, and whether Croats in BiH are a Croatian diaspora or a constituent nation, as they are referred to as both, Pernar says that all facts indicate that Croats in BiH are actually just a voting machine for HDZ, and HDZ is a party that serves itself and someone higher.

- When they need to be the electorate of HDZ, then Croats from BiH turn into the diaspora – says Pernar.

Besides finding it strange that Croats from BiH seek help from Zagreb, he also finds it strange, he says, when he hears promises from Croatia to help Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the European Union. Croatian policy, Pernar believes, cannot help Bosnia and Herzegovina on that path for at least two reasons: 'first, because the influence of Croatian policy in the EU is minimal, and second, because Croatia has a pile of its own problems'.

- Croatia's influence in the European Union is non-existent, practically less than my influence in the Croatian Parliament. I initiate certain processes in Parliament, I can change something, while Croatia decides nothing in Brussels – claims Pernar.

He adds that it is most important for the citizens in BiH to turn towards each other regardless of their nationality, to extend a hand of reconciliation, and to start building the country. For Pernar, Bosnia and Herzegovina's national diversity is not a difference, but the country's greatest wealth. He says it is only a matter of time when some Bosnian-Herzegovinian 'živi zid' will emerge in BiH and start initiating certain processes in the country.