Plenković in EP: Only firmly anchored in European values can BiH have a stable future

STRASBOURG, (Patria) – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said today in Strasbourg that the European Union is still a community that others want to join, particularly pointing to the six countries of Southeast Europe, "Croatia's closest neighbors, but also Turkey".

"We should fulfill the promises to candidates, as well as to potential candidates, just as those countries need to fulfill the given conditions and criteria, and implement the necessary reforms," Plenković said, reports Patria agency.

Plenković also referred to the EU Strategy for the Western Balkans, which the European Commission will present to Parliament today.

"Special attention should be paid to Bosnia and Herzegovina in this strategy. Like Croatia, it has a difficult path behind it. It is a country with a specific internal structure, composed of three constituent peoples; Croats, Bosniaks, and Serbs, in which their equality, along with others, should be the foundation of the future. Only if firmly anchored in European values can BiH guarantee its citizens a secure and stable future," said Plenković, adding that a significant portion of its citizens want this "on the basis of fair electoral legislation."

The Croatian Prime Minister added that in the EU neighborhood, "we are facing great political and security challenges." Therefore, it is a strategic interest of all EU member states to help their neighbors in strengthening a system that is prosperous, peaceful, secure, and above all democratic. This is our stake, Plenković believes, in protecting European citizens.