In an exclusive interview for German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic talked about visiting Belgrade, the upcoming celebration of the 1995 military Operation Storm, and Croatia's support for the constitutional equality of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In her first big interview following this summer’s World Cup in Russia in which Croatia won second place, Grabar-Kitarovic told Deutsche Welle that she hoped the national team’s sports success on the pitch would translate into a new impetus for much needed reforms, which “have unfortunately somehow lost their meaning and content,” and that “Croatia would take the path to prosperity.”

Commenting on reactions in the foreign media who said they fear that the euphoria over the team’s success and the positive atmosphere of patriotism might give way to increased nationalism in what they described as “a country ruled by a symbiosis of politics, sports, and patriotism,” Grabar-Kitarovic said that there was no reason for concern, and that “such a symbiosis should not be suppressed.”

She added that the entire country could profit from sport achievements, in terms of re-branding Croatia as a modern country, so that it could become attractive to foreign investors.

The heroes’ welcome given to football team players in Zagreb and other cities across the country made her proud, Grabar-Kitarovic said, because during those several days, “there was not a single incident, no aggressive calls, no Ustasha salutes, or anything else which could be interpreted as hate speech or intolerance targeting anyone.”

Responding to Deutsche Welle’s question on the scepticism – especially abroad – about the festivities including a singer whose concerts have been banned in other countries – upon players’ invitation, Grabar-Kitarovic said that “above all, the wishes of the players should be respected, they wanted that, they wanted Mr (Marko Perkovic) Thompson to be at the ceremony, it was an expression of national pride, no nationalism, nothing targeting any other group.”

Responding to our remark that Zagreb’s main square was also attended by people who do not support Thompson and what he stands for, and especially some of his songs, Grabar-Kitarovic said that she is “very fond” of some of his songs, which she “listens and loves,” and that these are “good for national unity.”

“Frankly, these songs of his that are mentioned and quoted on various websites, I never heard them, nor have I seen any evidence that they exist. But the song Lijepa Li Si (often played before and after football matches) absolutely isn’t one of them – and that’s the national team’s anthem,” Grabar-Kitarovic said.

The President continued to condemn all totalitarian regimes, including nazism, fascism, and communism. Asked about her speech earlier this week at the site of the World War II Jasenovac concentration camp, which she visited with the Israeli President, she said that “that crime happened and must be acknowledged. I absolutely condemn any manipulation with the number of victims at Jasenovac, I think we must insist on historic truth, based on truth and the constitution, and move on.”

She also commented on the upcoming anniversary of the 1995 military Operation Storm, which ended the 1991-95 independence war and which is celebrated every year on August 5.

“Of course when I am in Knin (where the official celebration takes place), I talk more about that other foundation stone of the country, about the independence war as the basis of modern Croatia. In doing so, it is not my intention to offend modern Serbia or Serbs as a nation in any way. All my criticism refers to the regime of (former Serbian leader) Slobodan Milosevic. Last year I said Serb victims also need to be commemorated, the innocent civilians who had perished during Operation Storm, but even more so after it,” Grabar-Kitarovic said.

Grabar-Kitarovic also touched upon the Croatia-Serbia relations in light of the anniversary. She said she was afraid of possible tensions between the two countries.

“…but I want the open issues to be solved on grounds of good neighbourly relations and mutual respect as well as the respect of the international law,” she added.

Differing perceptions of Operation Storm have been a divisive factor in relations between the two countries since the mid-1990s. While Zagreb sees it as a military triumph, which liberated its territory from aggression, Belgrade views it as ethnic cleansing of Serbs.

As for a possibility of paying a visit to Belgrade, the president said she would be glad to go there once a tangible progress is made, especially regarding the issue of missing persons.

She also described Bosnia and Herzegovina as a special case, which has to be involved in the process of European integration regardless of the reform implementation degree in that country, Grabar-Kitarovic said.

“Because I am afraid everyone is slowly giving up on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Grabar-Kitarovic said, stressing that a stronger engagement is required.

Speaking about the status of ethnic Croats in Bosnia, who are the third most populous group in that country and are entitled to the equal rights with other two constituent peoples – Bosniaks and Serbs – the president said “not everything is so dark as it seems.”

“I think that the fact that Croatia does fight for the constitutional equality of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina is exceptionally important,” she added.

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