Milanović opposes the entry of foreign warships into Croatian waters

The US Navy destroyer USS Oscar Austin has sailed into Dubrovnik. The vessel was involved in combat at the beginning of the attack on Iran. Its arrival in Croatia has been sharply criticized by the Croatian President.

Commenting on the arrival of the USS Oscar Austin in Dubrovnik, President Zoran Milanović said that this is an unconstitutional competence of the Government, because the entry of foreign troops is subject to the approval of the Croatian Parliament, with the prior consent of the President.

“Without a decision by the Croatian Parliament, I would not allow foreign warships into Croatia, especially not those coming from the area of operations and active military activities,” the President said.

“These are ships that are coming from active operations that were not approved by the UN Security Council, operations that Croatia has nothing to do with. And they are arriving three days after the US minister said that we are within range of Iranian missiles,” Milanović added.

President Milanović added that this involves the interests of only one country. He described the warship as a large barracks in the hull of a ship and reminded that, according to the Constitution, any entry of foreign soldiers into Croatia is subject to a decision by the Parliament.

“First, I wanted to refrain from commenting - let the Government resolve this. However, it is absolutely clear that this is not in the competence of the Government, it is an unconstitutional competence. We have had a Maritime Code that regulates this for over 20 years, and it should not regulate the entry of foreign ships at all. The Constitution is above that law, and the Constitution clearly states that any entry of a foreign army, even an allied one, is subject to ratification, or approval, by the Croatian Parliament, with the prior consent of the President. And only at the proposal of the Government. So, all three highest bodies are connected and the intention is joint responsibility,” explained President Milanović.

Milanović added that the Croatian Parliament, as the supreme representative body of all Croatian citizens, should take an interest in its competence: “A couple of thousand soldiers are entering a Croatian port, into the inland sea. What is the difference between that and Article 7 of the Croatian Constitution, which states that the entry of foreign troops into Croatia must be approved by the Croatian Parliament?”

When asked by a journalist to comment on US President Donald Trump's call for partners to help solve the problem in the Strait of Hormuz, President Milanović asked: "How can we help correct someone else's brilliant planning?"

Source: HRT