Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Monday decorated Bosnia's Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, for his contribution to the preservation of the Croat identity, underscoring that Puljic had done a lot for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“You have also done a lot for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They live there in a friendly neighbouring country whose survival we will never bring into question,” Milanovic said.

“You've done what you could, on your side, to keep relations between nations and religions harmonious, human, in accordance with the fundamental principles and postulates of what you preach, and that is brotherhood, harmony, peace and love between people,” he said.

“We appreciate everything you've done and you'll do,” Milanovic added.

Puljić underscored that Milanovic “encouraged” him with the decoration.

“We in Bosnia and Herzegovina are different in religion, culture and national identity. That's why I have persistently advocated a path of dialogue based on the principle of loving one's own and respecting others’,” underscored Puljic.