Members of the Collegium of the BiH PA Houses spoke to the President of the Republic of Croatia

 
On an official visit to BiH, Dr Ivo Josipović, President of the Republic of Croatia, and his colleagues, were received today by the members of the Collegiums of both the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the BiH PA.

In an open and friendly conversation, the hosts thanked Mr Josipović for choosing BiH as his first foreign affairs destination after Croatia’s entry into the EU. This sends a strong and positive message to the citizens of both countries. Mr Ognjen Tadić, Speaker of the House of Peoples; Dr Denis Bećirović, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Sulejman Tihić, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples; Dr Milorad Živković and Božo Ljubić, Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives, once again congratulated Croatia on their EU entry, wishing her the successful completion of her goals in this large family but also, as an EU member, to support the Euro-Atlantic path of South-Eastern Europe.

In addition, Croatian membership of the EU should reaffirm the co-operation of not only State bodies, but also of the nations and citizens of these two friendly countries. The need to intensify connections between BiH and Croatian economists was particularly emphasized, given the complementary nature of their economic areas, which are both traditionally and geographically close to one another.

President Josipović expressed that Europe cannot be whole without the EU membership of all South-Eastern European countries, and emphasized that Croatia will now participate in decision-making - important for this region. He stated that the entry of BiH into the EU is not only in the strategic interests of BiH, but is also in the strategic interests of the Republic of Croatia. Moreover, he wants his country to be the “drummer” of this process. At the same time, added Dr Josipović, the problems faced by BiH are unique and hard for the international community to understand, which is why Croatia is perfectly placed to articulate those problems and seek viable solutions, without any potential misunderstanding, which can be the case currently. (end)