The President of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ), Dragan Čović, spoke after a session of the party’s Presidency in Mostar.
At the beginning of his address, Čović summarized the session, noting that certain conclusions were reached and that Darijana Filipović, the head of the HDZ election headquarters, had informed other members of the Presidency about the party’s electoral activities.
“The goals we previously defined as maximalist should be compiled into a strategic document and adopted at the next session, which is expected to take place in early March or April,” Čović said.
He added that all actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including political parties, have been invited to discuss amendments to the Electoral Law, which HDZ considers a key priority.
When asked about calls to “redefine Dayton” made by a lobbyist from Republika Srpska in the US and former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn, Čović said that now is “the right time.” He also announced upcoming visits by HDZ representatives to Brussels and Washington.
“You can expect HDZ visits to Brussels through the European People’s Party (EPP), and one delegation will also travel to the US to discuss topics such as changes to the Electoral Law, respecting the Dayton Peace Agreement, peace and stability, legitimate representation, and projects that would help ensure these conditions,” Čović said.
He emphasized that, for Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its European path, it is necessary “to guarantee legitimate representation of the constitutional peoples in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the House of Peoples.”
“We are going to meetings in the US with a unified position: the Electoral Law must be resolved in the short term, the outvoting of Croats must stop, and the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina must include two Bosniak members. The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina should also be redefined, but this cannot be done without the support of the world’s most powerful administrations. Their position is that this is the source of crises in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Čović added.
Regarding the Southern Interconnection project, he said that “the situation has changed” and that detailed discussions are now taking place with U.S. companies.
He also announced that one U.S. company has expressed interest in extending the gasification project beyond the Southern Interconnection and has offered to build three gas power plants in Mostar, Kakanj, and Tuzla.
“The company is not only interested in gasification but also in energy and other projects. They have proposed taking the airports in Sarajevo and Mostar under concession. We immediately offered to start talks regarding Mostar Airport, which is owned by the City of Mostar. The discussions have already begun. We also supported the Federal Government, which owns Sarajevo Airport. This approach opens a new perspective on how the U.S. administration views Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Čović said.
He added that “wherever U.S. capital arrives, protection follows,” noting that such projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina will prevent anyone from attempting manipulations.
Čović also revealed that Bechtel is interested in investing in the highway connecting Bosnia and Herzegovina with Montenegro, as well as in projects along Corridor 5C in the southern part of the country.
“Bechtel is interested in various projects across Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Čović added.
Returning to the topic of elections, Čović announced that HDZ will most likely reveal the name of its candidate for the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the next session in March, Klix.ba writes.
