Stier: Croatia and Vatican support Bosnia's EU path, equality of its constituent peoples

(Hina) - Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Davor Ivo Stier, met in Vatican City on Saturday with the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher

(Hina) - Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Davor Ivo Stier, met in Vatican City on Saturday with the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher, discussing stability in Southeast Europe.

"The talks were dominated by the topic of Southeast Europe, notably Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the European path of that country and the equality of its three constituent peoples are the shared interest of the Holy See and Croatia," Stier told the press after the meeting.

Stier said that in this context he and Gallagher also talked about partners in the European Union and the international community, adding that the Vatican and Croatia were advocating "a better understanding for circumstances in Bosnia and Herzegovina" on the country's path towards EU membership.

"That path is indeed demanding and challenging, but it also presents an opportunity for reforms, such as the reform of electoral legislation, which can be a good chance not just for the Catholic Croats, but for all constituent peoples. The principle of institutional equality of the three constituent peoples and all citizens should ensure a better functioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina and better prepare it to be able to cope with the obligations it will have one day as a full member of the Union," Stier said.

He added that it was of paramount importance that "some other key players in the international community also work on that."

Stier said that he had informed his Vatican hosts about the conclusions of Tuesday's meeting of the 28 EU foreign ministers who had all agreed that the equality of Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats and other citizens was the way for Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress in meeting the membership criteria.

"Of course, that work has to be done by leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is their responsibility, but support and encouragement from the international community is also very important," Stier said, adding that Croatia wanted to play an active role in that process.

Stier and Gallagher also touched on the issue of canonisation of the blessed Alojzije Stepinac. There have been speculations in the public that this might happen in 2018, but Stier said that no time frames were discussed.

He recalled that a joint Catholic and Christian Orthodox commission should complete their work by next summer, even though the process of canonisation did not depend on it.

"That is an internal matter of the Catholic Church. We can only say that that day will be a joyful day for all the people who see Stepinac, his life's work, as a model in advocating the freedom and dignity of man," the Croatian foreign minister said.

Stier said that today's visit reaffirmed the close cooperation between Croatia and the Holy See.

Stier also met with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. He presented Gallagher and Parolin with copies of a book by British historian Robin Harris, "Stepinac - His Life and Times".

Stier also briefly met with Angelo Sodano, who had served as the Holy See's Secretary of State from 1991 to 2006, during the terms of two popes, John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

In January 2017, Croatia and the Vatican mark the 25th anniversary of recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations.

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