Parliament speaker receives papal nuncio

Zagreb - Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko on Tuesday received the Papal Nuncio to Croatia, Alessandro D'Errico, for talks on Croatia's European Union membership, relations with the Catholic Church, and the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The two officials concluded that it is necessary to conduct dialogue with all social groups and that a permanent form of dialogue should be sought to avoid misunderstandings. D'Errico said Croatia's EU membership was important for the development of democratic society, advocating respect for the historical values of the Croatian people.

The two officials agreed that Bosnia is of strategic importance to Croatia and that it is necessary to help the survival of Bosnian Croats. Leko said all three Bosnian peoples should have the possibility to exercise their constitutional role and share the responsibility for the country. D'Errico said that according to Catholic Church records, the number of Bosnian Croats declined by 10-15,000 every year.

He and Leko concluded that in order for them to survive, it is important to help those that have stayed, to dissuade them from emigrating, and to create jobs. (Hina)

Author: Hina