Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 5 March 2018 visited Mostar, where she held talks with Chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Presidency Dragan Čović and Deputy Foreign Minister Josip Brkić about further advancement of Croatia-BiH relations, BiH’s European prospect and improving the overall status of Croats as one of BiH’s constituent nations, notably their equality with the other two.
Pejčinović Burić also visited the 12 000-strong University of Mostar, the only one in BiH and outside Croatia with lectures in Croatian. She visited other institutions important for the survival of Croats in BiH, such as the Croatian National Theatre, University Clinical Hospital and Franciscan Monastery of St. Peter and Paul. These institutions, apart from their educational, cultural, scientific and research significance, make up the pillars of Croats’ survival in BiH and the preservation of their identity, especially in Herzegovina.
She underscored that the Croatian government assisted BiH Croats through its programs and would continue to support the development and strengthening of institutions that are vital for them. She stressed the importance of Croatia’s support for BiH’s European path, as that also meant supporting all Croats in the country.
Pejčinović Burić also announced that Croatian consulates were soon to be opened in Livno and Vitez.