The Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, said on Saturday in Banja Luka that he expects Bosnia and Herzegovina to fulfill the conditions necessary for the opening of membership negotiations with the EU, and announced that Croatia will continue to strongly support BiH on its European path, as well as the Croats who they live in it.
“We are fighting for Bosnia and Herzegovina as if we were fighting for Croatia,” said Plenković in Banja Luka, where he attended the enthronement ceremony of the Banja Luka bishop Don Željko Majić.
He added that he is in constant communication with the chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, and that he is convinced that Bosnia and Herzegovina can reach the set goal.
“Laws are being passed, reforms are being implemented,” said Plenković, adding that he believes that the remaining laws will be adopted, and that all his colleagues in the EU countries are monitoring and recognizing the progress that BiH has made since December.
Plenković pointed out that he came to Banja Luka to support the new bishop and to thank the former Banja Luka bishop, Franjo Komarica, for everything he has done.
“Bishop Komaric passed the martyrdom of the Croatian people and clergy,” he said.
When asked if something additional could be done to encourage the return of Croats to the area of the Banja Luka diocese, where only about 30,000 Catholic believers remain, Plenković replied that the best way is to ensure permanent stability and speed up the process of European integration.
“Since Croatia is stronger and BiH is more stable and the whole atmosphere is turned towards the European path, I believe that many Croats who lived there before will increasingly come to their pre-war homes,” said the Croatian Prime Minister, Fena news agency writes.
