Minister Grlić Radman attends Ljubuški Day

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Monday attended the marking of Ljubuški Day. In a press statement ahead of the event, the minister said that a gas interconnection between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina could not be realised with threats of sanctions and pressure, and again supported Bosnian Croat leader Dragan Čović, whom the US accuses of blocking the pipeline.
 
"This requires talks and negotiations, certainly not pressure and threats of sanctions. That isn't conducive to a good solution," Grlić Radman said when asked about the criticism Čović received from several United Sates diplomats.
 
Grlić Radman said that building the Southern Gas Interconnection was in the common interest of Croatia, the US and BiH in order to end dependence on Russian gas.
 
"That can't be a unilateral issue. It can't be done without Croatia. Croatia is a hub and is interested in energy independence. We share the same opinions with the US, which is our ally and strategic partner, on the ultimate goal, which is to achieve energy independence from Russian gas." He said the model for managing the Southern Gas Interconnection project through BiH should be discussed with representatives of Bosnian Croats and find a solution.
 
Grlić Radman said Croatia trusted Čović "because he is the legitimately elected representative of the Croat people."
 
He called on BiH authorities to meet the requirements so that the European Council could okay the opening of accession negotiations with BiH. "That would make the Western Balkans even more stable and certain of further progress. BiH deserves the opening of the negotiations and politicians would get the enthusiasm to continue the process," he said.
 
Text: Hina/MVEP

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