Bosnia and Herzegovina is a special case, which has to be involved in the process of European integration regardless of the reform implementation degree in that country, President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said in an interview for Deutsche Welle.

“Because I am afraid everyone is slowly giving up on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Grabar-Kitarovic said, stressing that a stronger engagement is required.

Speaking about the status of ethnic Croats in Bosnia, who are the third most populous group in that country and are entitled to the equal rights with other two constituent peoples – Bosniaks and Serbs, the president said “not everything is so dark as it seems.”

“I think that the fact that Croatia does fight for the constituent equality of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina is exceptionally important,” she added.

Grabar-Kitarovic also touched upon the Croatia-Serbia relations in light of the upcoming anniversary of the Storm military operation from the 1990s. She said she was afraid of possible tensions between the two countries.

“…but I want the open issues to be solved on grounds of good neighbourly relations and mutual respect as well as the respect of the international law,” she added.

Differing perceptions of the Storm operation have been a divisive factor in relations between the two countries since the mid-1990s. While Zagreb sees Storm as a military triumph, which liberated its territory from aggression, Belgrade views it as ethnic cleansing of Serbs.

As for a possibility of paying a visit to Belgrade, the president said she would be glad to go there once a tangible progress is made, especially regarding the issue of missing persons.