Milanović: Croatia is not using the instruments it has as a state, such as the EU and NATO, to achieve its goals in BiH

(Patria) - Croatian President Zoran Milanović stated today that he sees no reason why Croatia should not recognize Palestine, his office announced.

- A whole range of countries have recognized Palestine, including some countries of the former Yugoslavia. Croatia is silent. For me, recognizing Palestine is a moral issue.

There is absolutely no reason or justification not to recognize the right of the Palestinian people to a state. Why is Croatia silent? - Milanović asked at the annual conference of Croatian diplomats in Zagreb.

Armenia was the last country to recognize Palestine in June. At the end of May, Spain, Ireland, and Norway also officially recognized the state of Palestine, followed by Slovenia at the beginning of June, which caused outrage among Israeli authorities.

More than 140 out of 193 United Nations member states recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Western European countries and the United States of America have long been exceptions.

Milanović also touched upon the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that nothing has changed there.

- Not only can Croats not elect their representatives, but it is not even clear when, or if, they will be able to elect them at all. Croatia is not using the instruments it has as a state – membership in the EU and NATO – to achieve its goals and protect its interests.

Nothing will change in BiH until the Government and the President of the Republic act jointly, if we agree that this is our goal - Milanović stated.

Milanović also reiterated his stance on the war in Ukraine, stating that Croatia can help with humanitarian aid and equipment, but should not directly engage in the conflict.

- I have done everything and will continue to do everything to prevent any involvement of Croatian soldiers in the war in Ukraine in any way, including participation in training centers. Whether someone provides military equipment to the Ukrainian army is not within my authority and I will not interfere with that - says Milanović.

He also referred to the fact that there has been no rotation of Croatian ambassadors for five years, which he called detrimental to the structure and hierarchy of diplomacy.

- I regret that. I tried to reach an agreement, but there was no cooperation from the Government. The rotation of ambassadors, which is necessary, is only possible if there is cooperation, if decisions are made jointly, in cooperation between the President and the Government. This cooperation is the foundation of the Croatian Constitution - Milanović told Croatian ambassadors, consuls general, consuls, and military attachés.