Minister Gordan Jandroković received High Representative and EU Special Representative for BiH Valentin Inzko

Minister Jandroković said that Croatia supports the international community’s efforts to find a lasting and all-encompassing solution for BiH, which would lend stability and a European perspective to BiH. Croatia respects the basic principles in its relations with BiH – territorial integrity, sovereignty, equality between the three constituent nations and constitutional reforms aimed at ensuring BiH a functioning state system and a European perspective, said Minister Jandroković.

The meeting also discussed the Bill on the Protection of Domestic Production, which would, if it gets passed by the BiH Parliament, discriminate against imports from Croatia and violate CEFTA regulations. That would be unacceptable and would harm mutual relations, as Croatia is one of the most important BiH trade partners, both import and export-wise.

As regards the border and other outstanding issues, Minister Jandroković said all such issues should be solved in the European spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.

In relation to the proposed constitutional reform in BiH, Croatia advocates those solutions which would guarantee Croats, the smallest of BiH constituent nations, equality, the protection of vital national interests, and equal participation in the authority bodies’ decision-making process. Croatia is not satisfied with the current position of Croats in BiH and additional effort need to be put forth to improve it. It is in no one’s interest for Croats to leave their homeland, said Minister Jandroković.

The meeting also touched upon the situation in the region. Croatia’s EU accession negotiations were described as having strategic importance for other region’s countries. Croatia reiterated its willingness to share its experience in acceding to the Euro-Atlantic structures with them.