Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the PA BiH Dr Dragan Čović meets with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia in Zagreb

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH), Dr Dragan Čović, met today in Zagreb with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Mr Andrej Plenković. The meeting was also attended by Ms Darijana Filipović, Member of the House of Representatives of the PA BiH, Mr Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia, and Mr Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.

The meeting addressed the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as bilateral relations and cooperation, with a focus on European reforms and the diversification of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s energy supply. Particular attention was given to priorities for further action, highlighting strong engagement in safeguarding the rights and interests of the Croat people as a constituent people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as projects implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the support of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, particularly in the areas of economic initiatives and investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

On this occasion, Deputy Speaker Dr Čović expressed gratitude for the continuous support of the Government of the Republic of Croatia in efforts to accelerate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path. He emphasised that Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina remain committed to preserving political stability, accelerating reforms, and achieving the full protection of the rights and interests of the Croat people in accordance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that cooperation with the Republic of Croatia plays a key role in ensuring legitimate political representation.

He particularly underlined the importance of further developing economic cooperation and strategic projects that contribute to the stability and well-being of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with special emphasis on the Southern Gas Interconnection project as a strategic interest and the most important contemporary energy project. Its implementation, together with representatives of the United States administration, will ensure further stability and development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the necessary diversification of gas supply.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković highlighted the Government’s continued commitment to improving the position of the Croat people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path. He stressed the need to accelerate reforms and amend electoral legislation in order to ensure the equality of all three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also reaffirmed commitment to cooperation on strategic projects and investments in energy, transport connectivity, and cross-border initiatives contributing to the long-term stability and economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that the Government of the Republic of Croatia continues to support the implementation of the strategic Southern Gas Interconnection project. (Press release from the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples, Dr Dragan Čović)