President Milanović meets with Finnish Prime Minister Marin, expects support for Croatian interests
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović received today the Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland Sanna Marin, who is visiting the Republic of Croatia.
At a meeting held in the Office of the President, they discussed relations between the two states connected by their membership in the European Union, the upcoming NATO summit in Madrid next week, and the security and political situation in South East Europe with an emphasis on Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Since Finland has applied for membership in NATO, President Milanović acquainted Prime Minister Marin with his views on NATO enlargement. He explained that in principle he does not oppose Finland’s membership in NATO and understands the security reasons behind Finland’s application for membership, however, he indicated to the Finnish Prime Minister the security problems with which Croatia is faced due to the instable political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. President Milanović informed his interlocutor in detail of the difficult situation of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina who have been denied their democratic right to elect their legitimate representatives.
President Milanović further told the Finnish Prime Minister that he believes it is necessary to continue the EU enlargement process. In this context he reiterated his support for Ukraine’s and Moldova’s candidate status, but he cautioned that the candidate status must also be granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that negotiations with South East European states having met the necessary conditions should get under way.
Stressing that the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the equality of Croats in that state are especially important to Croatia, President Milanović told Prime Minister Marin that he expects more understanding and support from EU partners, including Finland, for the interests of the Republic of Croatia because mutual support is the meaning of alliance both in the EU and in NATO.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić