Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina expand border crossings

During a working visit to neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković signed an agreement with Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the expansion of border crossings between the two countries.

Krišto said that under earlier arrangements Bosnia and Herzegovina had only two designated Border Inspection Posts, at Bijača and Gradiška. Under the new agreement, that number increases to five border crossings authorized to carry out inspections of goods subject to full regulatory controls. Once the new bridge at Stara Gradiška becomes operational, a sixth crossing will be added.

Plenković described the agreement as a major step forward.

“The movement of people and goods between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be significantly enhanced under this agreement. Until now, there were only two border crossings with the highest level of inspection authority. With the implementation of this agreement, that situation will change dramatically,” he said.

The Prime Minister also once again addressed the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the need for electoral reform ahead of the general elections in October, stressing that Croats, as the smallest constituent people, should be fully equal under the law.

“This also applies to the election of the Croat member of the Presidency, an issue we have raised repeatedly. Over the past four election cycles, many Croats have not felt represented in the Presidency, which has weakened trust between the people and the state institutions. Croatia would like to see this issue resolved through a political agreement on amendments to the electoral law and the Constitution,” Plenković said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also addressed a conference in Sarajevo on EU enlargement in the Western Balkans, organized by the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the European Parliament.

Speaking as leader of the HDZ, a full member of the centre-right EPP since 2013, Plenković said momentum on EU enlargement appeared to be returning.

“Unlike the Juncker Commission, when there was effectively no enlargement, and the first von der Leyen Commission also passed without it, we are now approaching a point where there is again a glimmer of opportunity for enlargement,” he said.

EPP President Manfred Weber also addressed concerns over enlargement, stressing that accession must remain merit-based.

“Whoever wants to join a club must respect its rules. Enlargement is based on merit and meeting the criteria, and that will not change,” Weber said.