Minister Gordan Jandroković received Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj

The Republic of Croatia supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina with three equal and constitutive nations, as well as the reforms based on the joint efforts between the political forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international community, which lead to a functioning state system, said Minister Jandroković, reiterating Croatia’s positions.

Minister Jandroković also said that Croatia supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic ambitions, recalling Croatia’s support for the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, as an important step forward in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s approaching the EU. He repeated Croatia’s offer to transfer its experiences with the EU accession negotiations, as well as a wish for the Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive the candidate status soon, emphasizing that Croatia will not burden Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the Euro-Atlantic structures with bilateral issues.

The two ministers also discussed the issue of both countries’ foreign exchange deposits in Ljubljanska banka, the non-payment of which has affected them severely. In that regard, the Croatian side proposed that both countries’ expert services meet to exchange opinions, harmonize positions and agree on the joint steps to be taken in regard to the issue.

It was also agreed that the Mixed Border Commission composed of expert groups would continue its attempts to solve outstanding issues as soon as possible and to mutual satisfaction.

Minister Jandroković expressed satisfaction with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro’s joining the US-Adriatic Charter (A5), a cooperation forum that has proven very useful in developing a spirit of partnership and alliance, as well as in strengthening the concrete form of cooperation on the road to NATO. In that regard, he pointed out that the Euro-Atlantic perspective is the best guarantee for the countries in the region to achieve stability, security and peace. Minister Alkalaj congratulated Croatia on its achievements on the path towards the Euro-Atlantic integration.

Minister Jandroković commended Bosnia and Herzegovina’s success regarding its candidacy for non-permanent UN Security Council 2010-2011 membership, which Croatia wholeheartedly supports.

In regard to the negotiations and initiatives on the constitutional organization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Minister Jandroković said Croatia welcomes the leading political factors’ assuming of responsibility, with a hope that these negotiations, along with the respect for the atmosphere of democratic dialogue, will lead to a constitution that is acceptable to all of the three constituent nations and political options. He also said Croatia advocates constitutional solutions that would give the Croats equal status as the other two constituent nations, ensure efficient protection of vital national interests, and equal participation in all levels of government.

As regards the economic cooperation, the ministers expressed satisfaction with its development, namely the nearly $3-million-worth trade in 2008. But since there is room for its further strengthening, the ministers talked about the areas of future investment, transport connectedness, the construction of the Vc corridor and other routes (already being built by several Croatian companies), and energy – namely the Adriatic-Ionian Gas Pipeline project. The ministers also expressed satisfaction with the increase in trade.