BiH Presidency with Borrell: EU's top diplomat says Croatian army will not come to BiH

(Patria) - Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina met today in Brussels with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell.

During the meeting, which discussed the political and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the importance of preserving peace and stability was emphasized as a prerequisite for the full functionality of institutions and accelerated economic development. 

On this occasion, the interlocutors exchanged views on the necessary steps for the further progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path, for which the members of the BiH Presidency expressed full agreement. 

The meeting highlighted the importance of internal dialogue within Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as dialogue with the European Union, with the aim of better understanding and a faster path to the EU.

Earlier, the members of the Presidency held a meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

As confirmed to Patria, Michel is demanding more intensive work on the 14 key priorities, so that an evaluation can be conducted in the autumn at the planned EU - Western Balkans Summit. It has also been requested and expected that BiH aligns its foreign policy with the EU, especially now that BiH has obtained candidate status. A particular issue is border protection and migration management, which is why a second-generation FRONTEX agreement will be signed. The EU encourages and supports stronger regional cooperation. 

Komšić emphasized that there is support for the Berlin Process and regional cooperation within it, due to the EU standards needed by BiH and the 30 billion euros that BiH can draw. Komšić proposed that these funds be used to finance the construction of the remaining part of Corridor Vc, but in a way that it is managed by the EU delegation in BiH to prevent abuses of tender procedures.

Komšić also requested clarification from Borrell regarding recent statements by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković about the participation of Croatian soldiers in EUFOR/Althea forces.

Borrell told him that Croatia will be disappointed by the answer because the EU will not approve it, as the Dayton Agreement prohibits the participation of forces from neighboring countries on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a permanent obligation.

He stated that he will continue his support for the alignment of Bosnia and Herzegovina's foreign policy with the EU's foreign policy, which is an obligation under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, as well as from the recently granted candidate status.