Croatia awards nearly 36 million euros for projects across Bosnia

Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković visited the University of Mostar, the University Clinical Hospital and the construction site of the Croatian National Theatre in Mostar, all of which contribute to the development of education, science, healthcare and culture for the Croatian people as well as for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

With University Rector Ivo Čolak, he discussed further investment in this key educational and scientific institution for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina—the only university outside the Republic of Croatia where teaching is conducted in the Croatian language, CE Report informs via the Croatian government website.

High-quality healthcare, the development of the healthcare system, and the implementation of joint projects between Croatian and Bosnian healthcare institutions were the focus of discussions with the director of the University Clinical Hospital, Ante Kvesić.

Prime Minister Plenković also visited the construction site of the future Croatian National Theatre in Mostar, accompanied by its director, Ivan Vukoja. The project is of strategic importance for preserving the Croatian cultural presence in Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina and is expected to be fully completed within two years.

The three strategic projects aim to provide financial support and strengthen education, science, healthcare, culture, tradition and identity, the Prime Minister said.

A Systematic and Comprehensive Policy of Care for Croats

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Branko Bačić; Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman; Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina; Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Alen Ružić; and State Secretary at the Central State Office for Croats Abroad Zvonko Milas. Their respective departments awarded contracts to beneficiaries across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The contracts, worth nearly €36 million, were awarded at a ceremony at the Monastery of the Franciscan School Sisters of Christ the King in Potoci. They are part of the Croatian government's systematic policy aimed at improving relations between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly supporting Croats as a constituent and equal people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Prime Minister said in a statement to the media.

He added that the event was part of a comprehensive and carefully designed policy pursued over the past ten years, following a similar meeting held in Orašje at the end of July, where contracts worth €37 million were awarded.

Such support will continue in the future, he stressed, saying that this was the best way to translate political will, and ultimately a constitutional obligation, into concrete action.

Croats Must Be Able to Elect Their Legitimate Representative to the BiH Presidency

Answering journalists’ questions, Prime Minister Plenković commented on the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are due to take place in just over a month.

The policy of the Croatian government, he said, has been consistent, continuous and firm.

“We believe it was unfortunate that, ahead of the previous general elections, the limited constitutional amendments and changes to the Election Law were not adopted to ensure that one of the two members of the Presidency elected in the territory of the Federation—the Croatian member of the Presidency—is elected by voters who are Croats,” he said.

He recalled that this had been the spirit and purpose of the Dayton Agreement, which, he said, had not been upheld since 2006.

Plenković warned that such a practice was not conducive either to building trust or to strengthening institutions.

“We believe that this will not be the case after these elections,” he said, adding that Croatia's efforts within the international community to support such an outcome were constant and long-term.

For this to happen, a consensus among the institutions and political parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina is needed, Plenković said, stressing that nobody had any illusions that the Election Law would be changed one month before the elections.

Nevertheless, he said, the issue should be resolved as soon as possible in order to ensure more harmonious functioning of the political scene and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Legitimacy is the most important thing in political life, and it is achieved through fair systems, not through systems that have certain shortcomings and therefore create serious political anomalies and real repercussions in political life,” he said.

Plenković also stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards the European Union remains a permanent and long-term task for Croatia.

“We strongly support all reform efforts and are working to create the conditions for our partners to take the most favourable possible view of accelerating that path,” the Croatian Prime Minister said.

Photo Croatian government website