President Milanović: I call upon the Croats in BiH to go to the polls, as President of the Republic I will protect the constitutiveness and equality of the Croatian people in BiH
On the occasion of the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović issued the following statement:
“The protection of the rights of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not just a constitutional obligation but a strategic national and security interest of the Republic of Croatia. The Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina are a constituent people, as are the Bosniaks and the Serbs. Ensuring the full respect for their right as a constituent people is necessary not only as a key prerequisite for their survival, but also as a foundation for the stability and functioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On the eve of the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I wish to reiterate that the respect of the Dayton Paris Peace Agreement is crucial for the survival of the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the constitutional basis for the functioning of BiH, the equality and legitimate representation of all the constituent peoples. Unfortunately, once again, the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be held under an existing election law, which has restricted for a long time the possibility to elect legitimate Croat representatives at many government levels.
In such circumstances, when it is questionable whether they will be able to elect their legitimate representatives, the only way they can try to ensure their right to legitimate representation is that as many as possible vote. Therefore, I call upon all the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, all those who are eligible to vote, to go to the polls and try to democratically protect and ensure their rights by voting for their true representatives.
Croatia’s interest is an integral and stable Bosnia and Herzegovina with which we will build friendly and partner relations. I am certain that the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina are the link that prevents the further destabilization and erosion of that state. It is the duty of the Republic of Croatia to do everything possible in order to ensure that the Croats remain a constituent people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and have their legitimate representatives in all government bodies on all levels.
Regardless of the election results, as President of the Republic, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the constitutiveness and equality of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I hope that in the future I will have more concrete and resolute support from the Government of the Republic of Croatia, not merely on paper, first and foremost in European Union and NATO bodies where Croatia is a full-fledged member. Those are the instruments that a serious sovereign state must use to protect its national interests in reality and not declaratively”.