Nikšić: It is concerning that Croatia is helping Čović establish a paradiplomatic network

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The announcement by HDZ BiH President Dragan Čović to open representative offices of "Croatian cantons" in Brussels was assessed by SDP BiH President Nermin Nikšić as, in his words, a continuation of the weakening of Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions.

"It would truly be a surprise if Čović did something to strengthen BiH's institutions and work for the benefit of all citizens," Nikšić told the Patria agency, although, he reminds, Čović committed to exactly that when he took the oath as a member of the BiH Presidency.

The member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Croat people and president of HDZ BiH, Dragan Čović, announced the opening of a representative office in Brussels that will represent the cantons in the Federation of BiH where the majority Croat population lives.

Čović specifically thanked the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, and the Mayor of the City of Zagreb, Milan Bandić, emphasizing that through their offices in Brussels, they helped resolve administrative issues for opening a joint office from BiH at the seat of the European Union.

Čović reminded that Croatia, although a full member of the EU, has a larger number of county representative offices in Brussels.

Nikšić points out that he is particularly concerned that Čović's latest activities have the support of the official authorities of the Republic of Croatia.

"It is obvious that Čović and HDZ are not satisfied that SDA and SNSD have secured them cantonal veto in the coordination mechanism with the EU, so now they want to have an independent paradiplomatic network," said Nikšić.

"Of course, this represents an attempt to establish some kind of diplomatic network of a third entity," he added.

The president of the Social Democratic Party of BiH believes that "nothing will come of the third entity, and therefore nothing will come of that kind of diplomatic network either."

"I am sure that in October, citizens will not only send such policies into opposition but into the past to which they belong," Nikšić emphasized.