Plenković: We will not build fences or barbed wire on the border with BiH, legitimate representation remains a task for the new government

(Patria) – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated at today's HNS session that the previous General Elections were important for the future of Croats in BiH. He said that BiH is a friendly and neighboring country with which they share a common border, faith, culture, friendship, and a common future.

He stated that more than a quarter of Croats living in the Republic of Croatia are of BiH origin.

"We want to dedicate ourselves to the rights of Croats in BiH. We have done so systematically, with arguments, and rationally. We have done nothing to harm other peoples in BiH. We have pursued a wise policy, explaining what real equality is, what real equal rights are, what legitimate representation is, what the spirit and meaning of the Dayton Peace Agreement are, which are the foundations of the FBiH and how BiH can see its European future. We have been interpreters here, we have elevated constitutiveness to the highest level in the EU, engaged in discussions with EU and American diplomats, and held consultations with High Representative Christian Schmidt.

I am delighted that we will cooperate with Borjana Krišto, who was our and your joint candidate for the Presidency of BiH, where you decided to put aside the pluralism of Croatian political parties in BiH for a moment to support one candidate and gather all votes. And even that was not enough to elect a legitimate representative of Croats to the Presidency of BiH, but for the fourth time we witnessed the subversion of democracy and the meaning of legitimate representation, which is that each constituent nation elects its representative.

In my opinion, this is the only element that has not been resolved in the past period, but it is an important task in the coming months, and therefore this swift formation of government is a positive signal that embodies that Croats in BiH are bearers of European values. Croats make BiH functional, they give meaning to a state that is complex, that has many of its own problems, but they are a people who will work to lead BiH on a faster EU path with this connective tissue. In this way, you are doing what strengthens your credibility among other actors. Croatia will be a strong advocate standing by you because we are one people, and we will continue our strong support for Croats," said Plenković. 

He stated that Croatia will support the Croatian National Theatre as well as the University of Mostar. He announced even greater connectivity with BiH as its largest foreign trade partner.

"We do not want Schengen borders to be any obstacle between Croatia and BiH. Croatia will not build walls, fences, or barbed wire on the border with BiH, but through the cooperation of our institutions, our police, we will prevent illegal migrations while keeping one large heart connected," concluded Plenković.