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Plenković arrived in BiH: Continuation of Croatian support for progress on the European path

by AI | 05.Sep 2024 | Europe in brief AI

“The desire of the Croatian government is to improve relations and resolve open issues, and to be a constant support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the European Union,” Plenković said.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković with the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto during a two-day working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Photo FENA/Harun Muminović)

Sarajevo/Mostar (Fena) – The Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković arrived for a two-day working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which he met with the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers BiH Borjana Krišto, and then with representatives of the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly BiH. He also participated in the opening of the “Hercegovina” bridge near Počitelj.

Krišto recalled Plenković’s previous visit alongside the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the then Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, which, as she said, contributed to improving relations “within ourselves,” as well as achieving further progress on European obligations.

– Thanks to, among other things, our work and engagement on that European path, as well as those lobbying efforts and good relations, Bosnia and Herzegovina received the green light to open negotiations for EU membership – reminded Krišto. Regarding the Growth Plan and the drafting of the Reform Agenda, Krišto recalled that this took eight months, but unfortunately, consensus was not reached on all reforms. She added that they will continue, and that she is holding talks with cantonal premiers to see how to reach certain solutions.

Croatian Prime Minister Plenković noted that the desire of the Croatian government is to improve relations and resolve open issues, and to provide constant support to BiH on its path to the European Union.

– Since our last visit, the circumstances have changed for the better. The European Council made the final decision to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. I believe this is a big step that marks the beginning of a new phase in the reform process of aligning the overall legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as reforms of the entire economic system, strengthening institutions, competitiveness, and thus a better perspective for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina – stated Plenković.

To operationally support this new phase, he added, Croatia and BiH signed an agreement on European partnership, and today a session of the joint commission at the state secretaries, or deputy ministers of foreign and European affairs level, was held.

During the visit, the Croatian Premier also said that there is a possibility of building a gas pipeline from Croatia to Posušje in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Considering that Croatia can consume a maximum of 2.8 billion cubic meters annually, Plenković said that the remaining 3.3 billion cubic meters of gas could be transported to BiH, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and Germany. (4.9.2024.)