- Published: 26.10.2022.
Equality of Croats in a stable, prosperous BiH remains Croatia’s strategic interest
In his address, Grlić Radman underscored that preserving the national and cultural identity of BiH Croats, as well as their equality to the other two constituent peoples, was of particular interest to Croatia and an important factor for the stability and functioning of BiH. “This was highlighted in the government’s 2020-2024 programme, which states that Croatia’s foreign policy would focus on the constitutional equality of BiH Croats, as well as on improving their status and the quality of life,” he said.
The minister added that the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy, the highest act of strategic planning in Croatia, defines that a lot of activities would focus on strengthening the unity between homeland and diaspora and promoting the interest of Croats abroad, notably BiH Croats.
“Despite the fact that they’re an indigenous and constituent nation, Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been for the longest time unable to elect their legitimate political representatives, as guaranteed by the country’s constitution,” Grlić Radman said.
He stressed that during 2020 and 2021 the government was particularly committed to sensitizing international partners to the difficulties of BiH Croats in realizing their legally and constitutionally guaranteed rights. “In all its international contacts, the government has been pushing for an active approach to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the need to change the electoral law to ensure full equality for all constituent peoples, without the possibility of outvoting. These efforts have yielded concrete results this year,” the minister said.
In addition, Grlić Radman reported that in 2020 and 2021 Prime Minister Plenković had participated in numerous political and social activities aimed at stabilizing BiH and improving the status of its Croats, and had maintained contact with their legitimate political representatives.
The minister stressed that Croatia’s state bodies had put forth maximum effort to protect and advance the status of BiH Croats.
He also reflected on the assistance to BiH during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Despite the pandemic’s deep impact on health and economy, I’m proud that during 2020 and 2021 we were not only able to maintain intensive bilateral relations, but also to financially assist in curbing the pandemic and donate 240 000 vaccine doses,” Grlić Radman underlined. He added that Croatia’s institutions had continued to offer assistance to BiH healthcare, cultural and other institutions of importance to Croats.
The minister concluded his address by emphasizing that a stable, strong and equal position of BiH Croats, as well as a stable and prosperous BiH with a European perspective, remained in Croatia’s strategic interest.