(Hina) - Croatia will continue pursuing its policy of supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its journey towards Euro-Atlantic institutions and advocating the equality of all the three constituent peoples (Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs), regardless of challenges and manipulations, Foreign Minister Davor Ivo Stier said on Wednesday after Croatia's government officials discussed the latest developments regarding the apprehension and detention of ex-HVO soldiers in Orašje.
Zagreb is providing the arrested ten men with all assistance which is given to Croatian nationals, Stier underscored.
"We knew that there would be challenges and resistance to the policies of the new Croatian government that has an articulated policy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our response to all those challenges is that we are adamant about pursuing that policy," Stier said, adding that "Croatia will be coordinated with its allies in accomplishing those goals."
We are adamant that Bosnia and Herzegovina should ensure the equality of all the three constituent peoples, including the Croat people and all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he added.
This is Croatia's strategic interest and we are ready to respond effectively to all challenges as a responsible member of the European Union and NATO, the Croatian minister said, adding that Zagreb is in permanent touch with its allies in the EU and NATO and that it has informed them of its concerns following the arrest of the former HVO members.
"This cooperation is very close, and we coordinate with our allies in NATO and the EU our future steps in the policy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina."
He reiterated that "without Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is neither Bosnia and Herzegovina nor its European journey."
"Our goal is to ensure stability and to create a new architecture of cooperation, which requires European standards."
"It is important to underscore that every crime must be punished and also the judiciary mustn't be used for political purposes," Stier said.
Asked if he could see a connection between the fact that the ten men were arrested in Orašje only two days after the first official visit of the new Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to Sarajevo, Stier said that the apprehension could not have been prepared in a weekend, however, it could have been manipulated for political purposes.
The Croatian government session on Thursday will discuss the arrests of ex-HVO troops in Orašje, suspected of war crimes, and will also consider measures it can take regarding the arrests of the men who hold both Bosnian and Croatian citizenship.
Earlier today, the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina set one month's detention for the ten former HVO soldiers who were arrested in Orašje on Monday on suspicion of war crimes against Serbs.