The newly elected Bosnian Croat member of the tripartite Presidency told Serbia’s ‘Telegraf’ newspaper that he will work toward good relations between Bosnia and its neighbours, but that Zagreb and Belgrade must respect Bosnia’s borders.

“You can count on me,” the Democratic Front (DF) leader said, “I will be committed to good and friendly relations to the fullest extent.”

“However, please, both Zagreb and Belgrade, just keep in mind where you are crossing the border and presenting your identification documents,” he said, reminding officials in both countries to respect his country’s borders.

“That’s on the river Sava, on the river Drina, and on the river Una,” he explained, referring to Bosnia’s border rivers. “Just respect this and you will have no problems with me.”

Komsic explained that he is not threatening anybody, neither does he have the power to do so.

“I’m just asking for this country to be respected. Both by Zagreb and by Belgrade,” he said, adding that the country’s border has to be respected as much as the rules of decent behavior.

“This is a separate and independent country, as is Serbia, as is Croatia. And when we respect those facts, there is no reason for others not to treat us the same way,” he said, adding that Bosnia will resist those who don’t respect that fact.