Croatia’s Milanovic in Livno: Peace in BiH must come without foreign tutelage

During the ceremony, Milanovic presented medals to members of the HVO’s “Petar Kresimir IV” brigade, praising their role in the defence of Livno and their broader contribution to regional security in the early 1990s. He said the victory in Livno in April 1992 was pivotal not only for Bosnia and Herzegovina but also for Croatia's own territorial defence.

"This victory wasn't important only for the people of Livno—it was crucial for Croatia as well. If I may interpret freely, I would say that Operation Storm may have actually started here, with the defence of Livno in the spring of 1992. If Livno hadn’t been defended then, it would’ve been very difficult to take it in 1994 or 1995,” Milanovic stated.

He also highlighted the contribution of Croatian volunteers, especially from Zagreb, who, together with the people of Livno, stood firm and prevented the enemy’s advance.

Call for internal agreement in Bosnia

President Milanovic underscored the importance of unity and internal agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three main ethnic groups—Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks.

“There will be no agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina without us. The more time passes, the more senseless outside interference becomes. That agreement must be reached among you, without foreign tutelage, because no one can understand you better than you understand each other,” Milanovic said.

He rejected allegations of Croatian interference or hidden ambitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling such accusations false and malicious.

“We come here with respect, without ill intent. This recognition is a debt of honour from the Croatian state, whose authority I represent now, and after me, someone else will, and so on endlessly,” the Croatian president concluded.