Milanović will not invite Komšić to Zagreb: He wants to talk to representatives of the constituent peoples

(Patria) - Croatian President Zoran Milanović commented on yesterday's meeting with BiH Presidency member Milorad Dodik in Zagreb, and the criticism that came from Sarajevo and the issue of legitimate representatives of the peoples in power.

"Croatia is the state of the Croatian people, but we have a high system of minority protection, and it is impossible for those who are not members of those minorities to vote for representatives of minorities. We protect that. Croats in BiH are not a minority, but they are numerically a minority. If you want to abuse them, you do it because you can. In recent years, very openly and directly. We have now heard threats that this will happen in the future. We must now sit down and talk seriously," Milanović said.

He stated that Željko Komšić was elected to the BiH Presidency by a certain number of BiH citizens. When asked if he would also invite Željko Komšić, the President of the Republic of Croatia said that he wants to talk to the representatives of the three constituent peoples.

"I don't think they voted for him to hurt Croats, they didn't, but he must be aware of the consequences of his political work and path. He is parasitizing the Croatian electorate. Until that changes, the situation in BiH will be abnormal," believes the leader of Croatia.

Milanović then posed a rhetorical question.

"Why does BiH have three members of the Presidency according to Dayton? Is it so that one people can elect two representatives? That is happening now. That is at the root of all misunderstandings. Three members of the BiH Presidency are foreseen so that each of the three constituent peoples can elect their representative. It is not perfect, but that is how it is currently. If it were otherwise, one would be elected, but it is not like that. This shows how some abuse the situation because they can, because they have targeted the smallest community," he stated.

Milanović added that they talk to those who represent someone and who were elected in a recognized democratic process.

"Milorad Dodik is an interlocutor, just as Bakir Izetbegović, the leader of the largest Bosniak party, is an interlocutor. That is a fact, politically as big as Velebit or Jahorina. It cannot be bypassed or tunneled through. I am here to talk," he said.

The President of Croatia emphasized that 100 years ago, great men decided the fate of Europe, and today embassy officials are trying to do that, talking about revising Dayton.

"And should Croatia remain silent and put its finger in its ear? It cannot. Those who elect Komšić should know that it is not fair and that they are wrong. It is a lack of elementary fair play. Croatia will not remain silent and stand aside, neither I nor the Prime Minister," Milanović stated, adding that no one in the EU understands the situation in BiH.