Milanović accuses Kolinda - "Queen of the Balkans" of ruining relations with Sarajevo

(Patria) - Current Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, HDZ candidate, and SDP candidate Zoran Milanović, who has a three percent lead from the first round, faced each other on Thursday on Croatian Radiotelevision ahead of the second round of presidential elections. The debate also touched upon loans they took out and the interest rates at which they obtained money. Milanović stated that Kolinda Grabar Kitarović received a loan almost with zero percent interest immediately after Operation Storm.

"To say that it belongs to you is not fair. Only HDZ members had that," said Milanović.

In a very heated debate, they also touched upon the issue of relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Milanović accused Grabar-Kitarović of conducting politics at a pub level and of ruining relations with neighboring countries, while nurturing trust in the controversial Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

When asked about the strong reactions coming from Sarajevo to her comments on Islamist terrorism and extremism, the current Croatian president, who is fighting for a second term, said:

"Bosnia and Herzegovina today is a country where different influences are mixed. Many recognize this, including the EU, Macron has spoken about it. This problem must be faced, not denied. Fighters have returned from Iraq, Syria, and other parts with their families. Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to be helped, together with Croatia and other EU countries, to solve such issues through information exchange in the intelligence sector."

In his reply, Milanović accused her of worsening relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"You ruined relations with Sarajevo, precisely on this example, although they called you the 'Queen of the Balkans'. I would value that if I were you," said the SDP candidate.

HRT: Warnings about the large number of extremists in Bosnia and Herzegovina are causing strong reactions in Sarajevo. Do you still hold that opinion?

"There are quite a few BiH citizens fighting for ISIS in Syria, BiH needs to be helped, together with Croatia and other EU countries, to solve this problem through information exchange from the intelligence sector," said Grabar-Kitarović.

HRT: Do jihadists in BiH pose a threat to Croatia?

"They pose a threat to everyone, but the question is how much they will act. I believe that SOA is doing its job and in cooperation with other agencies. Jihadists in BiH are a reality, it is a country with many Muslims, they go to Iraq and Syria to fight and return indoctrinated," said Milanović.

HRT: How dangerous are the developments in Montenegro?

"I think commenting too much on what is happening in Montenegro would be an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of that country. I hope these issues will be resolved and I hope they will not spill over into the Republic of Croatia," said Grabar-Kitarović.

"A sensitive matter, it's the neighborhood. Ms. Kitarović has double standards, sometimes she is for the rule of law, sometimes she is not, sometimes she is for interference, sometimes she is not. Behind what is happening in Montenegro is Belgrade, the bazaar. This is not a danger to Croatia, but it should be talked about," said Milanović.

"Of course, we want stability in Montenegro, and please do not insult on a personal level and with double standards, if you meant Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia is a co-signatory of Dayton and has every right to care about the Croatian people," added Grabar Kitarović.