Croatian PM says Bosnia election key for political stability

Plenkovic met Dragan Covic, speaker of the House of Peoples of BiH's Parliamentary Assembly, and Darijana Filipovic, a member of the House of Representatives.

"We continue to hold regular talks on the political situation in BiH, the country's European path and strengthening bilateral cooperation. The upcoming election will be an important political moment for BiH, and we hope it will contribute to the country's political stability while respecting the equality and legitimate representation of all three constituent peoples, which is the foundation of a stable and functional Bosnia and Herzegovina," Plenković wrote on X.

The HDZ BiH party has nominated Filipović as its candidate for the Croat member of BiH's tripartite Presidency, saying she has a realistic chance of winning after Bosniak voters, who outnumber Croats, repeatedly elected the Croat member of the Presidency.

A coalition of five Croat opposition parties has nominated Zdenko Lucic, while Zeljko Komsic's Democratic Front party has put forward Slaven Kovicevic.

Komsic was elected the Croat member of the Presidency four times, but is barred from seeking another term in the upcoming election.

Plenkovic said the meeting also highlighted the importance of continuing reform efforts on BiH's path towards the European Union.

"Geopolitical circumstances have changed the atmosphere within the EU regarding enlargement, creating an opportunity to make progress in the accession process, provided the criteria are met," he said.

He added that the talks also addressed developing economic cooperation and trade, improving transport links, and implementing the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline project as a strategic contribution to energy security.

"The government will continue to provide strong support to Croats in BiH through investment in education, healthcare, culture and transport infrastructure, which also contributes to the prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole," he added.