- Published: 22.03.2022.
Strategic Compass referencing BiH constituent peoples is our amendment
Commenting on the war in Ukraine, Grlić Radman said he was in contact with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and Croatian ambassador Anica Djamić.
“Our ambassador is among six ambassadors that have stayed in Lviv. She is helping evacuate the remaining Croatian citizens, five of them,” he said.
The minister also commented on the statement by Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša that ambassadors should return to Kyiv.
“I’m sure his intentions are good, but we mustn’t underestimate the security aspect. The initiative is solid, but right now the situation in Kyiv is far from ideal and we mustn’t put the ambassadors’ lives at risk. That’s why we’ve relocated our ambassador to Lviv. However, we applaud Janša’s visit to Kyiv,” Grlić Radman said.
Biden visiting Europe
Grlić Radman expects of Biden’s visit to Poland even more unity, more readiness to help and more calls for Russia to stop this “unnecessary endeavour”.
“We’re not just talking about military targets – we are also dealing with a humanitarian catastrophe here. Ordinary people have done nothing wrong and it’s a grave crime against humanity,” he underscored.
The minister is hopeful that Russia will not attack other European countries, but adds that we have to be ready to respond in case that scenario does occur.
“That’s why we have to strengthen our alliance. It was underlined by yesterday’s adoption of the Strategic Compass. Prime Minister Plenković successfully pushed for putting Bosnia and Herzegovina on the European Council’s agenda of 24 and 25 March,” he said.
Asked what that actually means, Grlić Radman said:
“That is a de facto recognition of the Dayton Accords. That was the amendment that we have been pushing for. Considering the importance of the Strategic Compass, we can be pleased that its 47 pages contain our amendment on Bosnia and Herzegovina. That document gives a new impetus to EU’s vision in security and defence.”
Statement by Russian ambassador to BiH
Grlić Radman commented on a statement by the Russian ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who, when asked why Russia is “not bothered” by other neighbouring NATO members, responded with: “How do you know we have no plans against Croatia, Poland, Bulgaria…?”
“Such statements should not be taken lightly. They prove the necessity of strengthening EU’s unity with our allies, namely the U.S. as a leader within NATO. This document underlines the importance of defence. We have to be prepared for any possible threat, because these are in fact threats,” he said.
The minister does not think the threat is serious, but that it should not be underestimated either.
Drone crash
Asked to comment on the crash of an unmanned aerial vehicle in Zagreb, Grlić Radman said it could have been a preparedness test.
“We were really fortunate, as 4500 students reside in the immediate vicinity. It was pure luck that there were no casualties,” he added.