Plenković calls for electoral reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, wants just outcome for all

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Monday commented on the unsuccessful talks on the electoral reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina and again called on seeking a solution so that the elections scheduled for October could be held, stressing that Croatia wanted a just outcome for all three peoples.

"We want a just and equitable outcome for all three people. I call on finding a solution to hold the elections," said PM Plenković, the leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), after a meeting of the party leadership.

He expressed conviction that stability would be secured there despite the fact that no agreement was reached this weekend on the electoral law.

"I call for a reduction of media coverage of this issues, and for an attempt to find a solution. The stability of Southeastern Europe is in our interest, especially the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Plenković.

He added that on his initiative, a discussion on Bosnia and Herzegovina would be held at the European Council on Thursday.

He also recalled that foreign ministers and defence minister of EU member states today adopted the Strategic Compass, a shared vision for EU security and defence, a document which, at Croatia's insistence, explicitly states the constituency of the peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"The Strategic Compass is a document that has been worked on for two years. It will be adopted by EU heads of state or government on Thursday. Making a mention of the constituent peoples has been included at the proposal and insistence of Croatia. ... we have succeeded in that and I think that is very good for Croats, but also for all three peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Plenković.

Asked whether he had spoken with President Milanović about that, he said he hadn't.

"No, I didn't talk with him, this was an initiative of the government, me, ministers, I assume that his advisors brief him. We are waiting for the session of the National Security Council," the prime minister told reporters.

According to the PM, the stability of Southeastern Europe must be preserved in these circumstances of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"It wouldn't be good if there were destabilisation in one of our neighbouring countries. This is clear to everyone and we will do everything we're doing to make security and stability the number one issue. We must keep Southeastern Europe stable with strong and great commitment from the European Union," Plenković underscored.

Gov't does its utmost to buffer shock of fuel price hikes

On Tuesday, the price of diesel per litre is expected to be HRK 12.03, gasoline HRK 11.84 , while the blue-dyed diesel for farmers and fishermen HRK 8.14 per litre.

The lower prices are a result of the lower average price on the Mediterranean market over the last seven days and of the set of the government's measures on capping the margin and lowering the relevant excise duties.

Preparations for changeover to the euro go on as planned

Asked by the press about the preparations for the adoption of the euro as sole legal tender and a comments made by U.S. economist Joseph Stiglitz that Croatia should take some more time before the changeover to the euro, Plenković answered that Stiglitz's attitudes on the euro were well-known, and added that the country's plans for the adoption of the euro were going well.

"All the activities concerning our obligations to meet the necessary criteria after we entered the  Exchange Rate Mechanism II are going as planned."

We will meet all the criteria for the adoption of crucial decisions in mid-2022 on Croatia's admission to the eurozone, which we expect to happen on 1 January 2023, he added.

Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize winner and the author of the book "The Euro: How a Common Currency Threatens the Future of Europe", said last week that Croatia should take some more time before the changeover to the euro, assessing that disadvantages could outweigh benefits due to the ongoing geopolitical risks.

Maximum effort put into helping refugees from Ukraine

"On Wednesday, I will convene a meeting with all county prefects in order to coordinate the situation on the ground with them and ensure quality health care, social protection, integration into the labour market, inclusion in preschool education and schools," Plenković told the press.

Croatia, he recalled, has considerable experience in taking care for refugees.

"About 30 years ago, we had not only internally displaced people in our own country but also refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hundreds of thousands of people were in Croatia at the same time, and at that moment we were not in the position we are in today. Countries that directly border Ukraine are experiencing a similar situation now," said Plenković

He recalled that Croatia had formed a working group three days after the beginning of the Russian aggression, and that included all components, ranging from civil protection to the Red Cross, all of whom were maximally engaged.

"For now, everything is going according to expectations we had when we formed that group," Plenković said.

He also commented on Croatia's credit rating.

"We believe that it's good we maintained our credit rating, it is on us to complete all processes for admission to the euro area and the Schengen area," the prime minister said.

Text: HINA

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