Zagreb - Croatian Parliament Speaker Božo Petrov on Monday held talks with Bosnian Presidency Croat member Dragan Čović about the recent arrest of former members of Bosnian Croat forces on suspicion of war crimes, saying Croatia would try to help and support the solving of the status of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and that Croats embodied a deviation from both a separatist and a unitarist vision of BiH.
Petrov expressed concern about last week's arrests, saying Croatia would try to help in a coordinated manner and support the solving of the status of Croats in BiH through joint action by the president, parliament and the government. Petrov said the arrests had started a debate on the status of Croats in BiH and that "Croats contribute to a better future of Bosnia and Herzegovina as they embody a deviation from both a separatist and a unitarist vision of BiH."
"Deviation from such visions and respect for the constitutional equality of all constituent peoples and citizens is the only path leading BiH towards EU integration. Croats in BiH must create a clear vision and strategy, and then the support from the Republic of Croatia will make complete sense," Petrov was quoted as saying.
Čović said the arrests of wartime HVO officers had a negative impact on BiH's European Union accession process. (Hina)