Croatia’s decision on the re-categorization of roads practically means that five border crossings with BiH will be closed for transport of goods and this represents the latest in a “series of wrong and provocative activities that further complicate and worsen relations between BiH and Croatia,” according to BiH House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Denis Zvizdic.
“The decision of the Republic of Croatia to close five border crossings with BiH, which causes direct, and obviously intentional economic damage to BiH businessmen who export their products to the EU, is the latest in a series of wrong and provocative activities that further complicate and worsen relations between BiH and Croatia,” Zvizdic’s statement said.
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He stressed that he does not want to believe that “this unilateral decision, which is contrary to the BiH-Croatia Agreement on Border Crossings, as well as the provisions of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the EU and BiH, has a political background,” but that there are indications this could be the case.
Croatia’s latest move may represent “a new type of pressure, blackmail and interference in the internal affairs of BiH,” he said, urging BiH institutions to take several steps “in order to protect the economic sovereignty of BiH.”
Bosnia should “initiate reciprocal legal and economic measures” against legal and natural persons from Croatia, he said, arguing that “we have a foundation in the recognized principle of international law – the principle of reciprocity.
BiH institutions, especially the chambers of commerce at all government levels, should intensify a campaign advocating for citizens to purchase domestic products as much as possible and to spend their holidays in resorts in BiH, he said.
“If there is no reaction from the competent EU bodies, and interstate talks and common sense do not produce a quick and efficient result, then an agent should be appointed and a lawsuit of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the Republic of Croatia should be initiated before international arbitral institutions and courts, which is the responsibility of the BiH Presidency,” Zvizdic said.
The BiH official noted that he respects Croatia as a full EU and NATO member and a country Bosnia shares a long border with, but stressed that “nobody has the rights to humiliate the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and take unilateral decisions which endanger the possibility of economic recovery and development of BiH, especially during the pandemic.”
“It is high time for our neighbours to begin to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is internationally recognized and unquestioned,” he concluded.
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