Mektić: After the story about wiretapping Croatia was opened, it is clearer why some spoke ill of BiH

Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Mektić said that the Intelligence-Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina did nothing illegal, and that it is the obligation of this agency to protect the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens, respecting the Constitution and legal regulations of the country.

To journalists' questions about commenting on accusations from Croatia that the OSA wiretapped politicians and businessmen from Croatia, Mektić said that the OSA did nothing contrary to the Constitution of BiH and the laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that it is a completely legal and legitimate right of every country, and thus of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to protect its interests and the interests of its citizens.

"I did not say that we wiretapped Croatian officials. But if there is a need to protect the interests of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we will do that too, in accordance with constitutional competencies," Mektić said.

The BiH Minister of Security believes that "it is now clearer why some foreign officials and politicians have recently spoken ill of BiH".

"Now we know much more about it definitively, and we will provide all information to the key institutions of the executive, legislative, and other competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because it is not up to security agencies to take action against other countries, but rather key institutions of each country, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, should do so based on valid and accurate information," said Mektić.

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović often speaks about Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country where a large number of extremists live, which damages the international reputation of Bosnia and Herzegovina but also raises tensions within the country and the entire region.