Zagreb to expand assistance for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković attended a ceremony in Orašje marking the signing of 276 grant agreements under the 2026 Support Programme for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reaffirming that the Croatian Government will continue supporting the Croatian community in the country.
Joining the prime minister were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries David Vlajčić and Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman, CE Report informs via the Croatian government website.
The event was also attended by Dragan Čović, Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, MP Darijana Filipović, and Croatian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Ivan Sabolić.
Plenković began by expressing condolences over the deaths of five mountaineers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, following which a Day of Mourning was declared in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He described the awarding of the agreements as a clear message of Croatia's support and cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on projects that will foster economic development and improve the quality of life of Croats as one of the country's three constituent peoples.
The 276 agreements were co-financed by Croatia's Ministry of Regional Development and Ministry of Agriculture and are intended to support family farms, agricultural producers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
Plenković noted that funding for Croats living outside Croatia has increased from €16 million during his first term in office to €200 million today. He said Croatia's stronger economy and enhanced position within the European Union have enabled the government to provide greater support to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Croatian communities around the world.
He also highlighted the growing economic ties between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with bilateral trade reaching approximately €4 billion, alongside increasing cross-border investment and an agreement on the construction of the Southern Gas Interconnection.
Plenković stressed that Croatia would continue increasing budget support for improving the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina and pointed to the Croatian Consulate in Orašje, opened three years ago, as another important pillar of support.
Responding to questions about rising fuel prices, the prime minister said the government had eliminated the national excise tax component to prevent a sharper increase in fuel costs. He added that Croatia had also secured European Commission approval to adjust the EU portion of excise duties if the security situation in the Middle East deteriorates further. He said the government is also prepared to reduce VAT if necessary and described current fuel prices as still remaining at acceptable levels compared with other markets.
Photo Croatian government website
