Milanovic: I do not support Georgia in NATO

Croatian President Zoran Milanović and his wife Sanja Musić Milanović visited the exhibition "Women and Technology – An Exhibition of Gender Inclusive Themes" at the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum on the occasion of the International Women's Day. He then gave a statement to the media.

“Congratulations on Women's Day, or March 8th, as it used to be said, and I still say that today. I came to the Technical Museum on that occasion, but I would be glad if I came on any occasion,” said President Zoran Milanović at the beginning.

He commented on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The presence of forces has increased due to this war, but I believe that there is no way to escalate all this into an armed conflict in the neighboring country. It is not Russia; the EU is showing some of its strength and washing its conscience because of what is happening in Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia are one, and this here is something completely different, fortunately calmer and more benign. As for NATO in Georgia, I will oppose that, it is out of the question,” he pointed out.

The European Union last week decided to increase EUFOR forces from 600 to 1,100 troops by sending reserves from Austria, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia to prevent potential instability following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On Saturday, France announced that it would conduct training flights over Bosnia and Herzegovina in light of the deteriorating international security situation.

“It is an increased presence due to the tensions and horrors of the war, but I do not attach special importance to that. I believe that there is no way to escalate into an armed conflict,” said Milanović on Tuesday, adding that the situation in the neighboring country cannot be compared to that in Ukraine because there are no soldiers or tanks in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The biggest EU countries did everything possible,” he added.

“The European Parliament does not impose any sanctions. It is known how they are imposed and by which legislative body. I don't like hunts; they are led by cowards, those who, when it gets thick, hide in the first hole. Milorad Dodik is a representative of the Serbian people; he lives there and will stay there. He is the interlocutor we know, we fear those we do not know, who are led in by the hand. Like Milorad 20 years ago. To some he is a monster, and to me he is an interlocutor. I will not impose sanctions on him,” said the President.

When asked if Milorad Dodik has ideas about the secession of the Republic of Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milanović said that he also has silly ideas, like journalists, but that one thing is political rhetoric, and the other is what is realistic.

“As long as there is no violence, he is my interlocutor. Even Aleksandar Vučić is an interlocutor, when Serbia needs to decide where they are. They support Russia. All right, that’s Serbian business. Ukraine never looked at them wrong; they condemned the attack on Belgrade in 1999. They never recognized Kosovo. As weird as relationships between people are, you never know where the sea will take you. Milorad Dodik should deal in smarter things. His idea is an idea. Which is the idea of a third entity. Is this leading to the disintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina or is it part of the negotiating tactics for the Croats to get what was taken from them. I did not vote for Republic of Srpska, nor is it my love. But it exists. It is a fact like Serbia and Kosovo. Let them understand that everyone must acknowledge it, and Ukraine and everyone else. I do it out of spite, but I want to see Serbia in the west, no matter how embarrassed it may be. And it is,” he added.

Source: HRT