Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković supported the HDZ candidacy of Darijana Filipović for a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at a meeting held between the HNS and Croatian Government delegations in Mostar.
“First of all, the support that Ms. Darijana Filipović received today for her nomination as a candidate for a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Croat people is important. Today, we heard from all stakeholders that she enjoys their support, and that is consensual. We will, of course, as party leaders, join in that support,” said Plenković.
Plenković added that the priority of the Government of the Republic of Croatia is the equal position of Croats as a constituent people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the strengthening of good neighborly relations.
“We expect the Croatian people to have their legitimate representatives and to be adequately represented in the highest institutions of BiH. We believe that it is necessary to reach a political agreement within BiH on the reform of the Election Law in order to protect the equality of all three constituent peoples and enable the stable functioning of the country. Croatia remains the most vocal advocate and supporter of BiH’s European path, which alone guarantees the stability and prosperity of the country,” said Plenković.
The HNS announced that tonight’s meeting of the delegation of the Croatian National Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Dragan Čović, with Plenković and his associates took place in an atmosphere of partnership dialogue, confirmation of a strong partnership and continued strong support for the Croatian people and Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially, as they stated in light of today’s decisions and clear messages about the need, as they state, for legitimate political representation of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The HNS said that the meeting also discussed the current political circumstances in Bosnia and Herzegovina, support for development and strategic projects in cooperation with Croatia. They add that special attention is devoted to the further strengthening of stability, the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina and joint action in the protection of the political rights of the Croatian people as one of the three constituent nations.
They add that during the conversation, the importance of Croatia’s continuous support to Bosnia and Herzegovina was emphasized, whereby the partnership with Croatia remains an important pillar in the political, economic and development sense.
“We are developing cooperation in all areas, and numerous projects in Mostar and throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina confirm the permanent support of the Republic of Croatia. All ministers in the Government of the Republic of Croatia received a standing order to support all joint projects of interest in strengthening relations between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Plenković.
A clear need to preserve a stable and functional Bosnia and Herzegovina was also expressed, especially during the upcoming general elections. At the press conference after the meeting, messages about the upcoming General Elections, the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the legitimate political representation of the Croatian people were additionally emphasized.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a democracy and everyone has the right to express their political ambitions, plan their political decisions and candidacies. We will see if there will be more candidacies and this will be discussed in the coming days and weeks within the political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the HNS itself. However, as far as I know, Mrs. Filipović is the only one who has a real chance of success, i.e. winning the elections. In any case, we want the Croatian people to have their legitimate representative in the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I am sure that Mrs. Filipović, who is now extremely experienced, will lead an excellent campaign and win the support of as many voters as possible,” Plenković said.
