ZAGREB, 13 March (Hina) – Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković  on Thursday called for de-escalating tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), urging a return to dialogue and ensuring the functioning of the country.

“We are closely monitoring the situation in BiH, as well as all these events which have further heightened political tensions in the country. Given the broader complex geopolitical circumstances, of course, no one — especially not Croatia, and even more so BiH — wants the destabilisation of our neighbouring and friendly country,” the prime minister said at a government session.

He stressed the importance of all political actors in BiH remaining committed to respecting the constitutional framework, the independence of judicial institutions and ensuring the equality of all three constituent peoples.

The political situation in BiH has been shaken up by the ruling against Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik, who was found guilty on 26 February, pending appeal, for failing to implement the decisions of the High Representative for BiH.

On Wednesday, Dodik refused to respond to calls from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office for questioning as a suspect, alongside RS Prime Minister Radovan Višković and the Speaker of the entity’s National Assembly Nenad Stevandić. They are under investigation on suspicion of having attempted to undermine the constitutional order of BiH.

On Thursday, a warrant was issued for their arrest and forwarded to judicial police, leading to concerns over potential incidents and escalation.

“Our goal is to preserve peace, security, territorial integrity and the safety of all citizens of BiH, especially Croats in BiH, and their full equality. We want the focus to shift from tensions to revitalising BiH’s European path, and I particularly welcome all that is being done by the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Borjana Krišto,” Plenković  said.

He emphasised that legal procedures must be respected.

“In recent days, we have been talking to interlocutors from BiH, and the Vice President of Republika Srpska representing the Croatian ethnic group, Davor Pranjić, was here just earlier today. Once again, we call for de-escalation of tensions, a return to dialogue, and ensuring the functioning of BiH,” the Croatian prime minister concluded.
Pranjić said in Zagreb after his meeting with Plenković  that he believes “there is no reason” to fear the escalation of the situation in BiH but considers it essential to send messages of peace and call for dialogue.