Zagreb - Protecting peace and preserving European values should be among the European Union's priorities, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in Zagreb on Friday.
"We are interested in deepening our cooperation, continuing the fight for European values, peace, freedom, and democracy - all of which modern Europe is built upon," Jandroković told reporters after his meeting with Metsola, who is on an official visit to Croatia.
He emphasised that "things have changed significantly with Russia's aggression against Ukraine" and that "values are being questioned".
Metsola recalled that the European Union had always been and would always be a peace project, and that peace protection would always remain high on the agenda.
She conveyed a message often heard among European allies - that peace in Ukraine must be lasting, deter aggression, and provide security for Ukraine.
Metsola had previously visited Zagreb in June 2023 to mark the 10th anniversary of Croatia's EU membership.
During her current visit, Metsola described Croatia as a true success story of the European Union and an example to others, calling for stepping up the accession process of Western Balkans countries after years of delay.
In the past decade, we've lost more member states than we've gained, Metsola warned, a reference to the UK's exit from the EU five years ago and Croatia being the last to join in 2013.
In addition to the war in Ukraine, Jandroković and Metsola also discussed Southeast Europe, and responded to journalists' questions about the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The BiH Court confirmed on Tuesday that a written ruling had been sent to Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who was sentenced to one year in prison and a six-year ban on political activity. However, he stated that he does not recognise the court's decision, and his defence said they would appeal the ruling.
Jandroković expressed "support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the constituent status of all constituent peoples."
He emphasised the threat of "the secessionist tendencies we see in Republika Srpska, as well as of the unitarism coming from some Bosniak circles."
"The actions of Milorad Dodik are extremely dangerous. Any disrespect for the constitution, laws, and the Dayton Agreement, on which Bosnia and Herzegovina is based, is a threat to security," Jandroković said.
Metsola also expressed hope for de-escalation in the region, especially as the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement signing approaches.