Croatian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday strongly condemned "frequent attacks on Croat symbols" in that country, and warned that "these are serious incidents that authorities in the country must not ignore as they create feelings of fear and insecurity," state agency Hina reported, carrying the statement issued by the embassy.

After a monument to killed soldiers of the Croatian Defence Forces (HVO) had been desecrated in Vitez over the weekend, Hina said, the embassy issued a statement to condemn “in the strongest terms” the incident, and warn that the Vitez case as well as another recent incident against the Catholic church in Bihac are “just two in a series of similar worrisome cases.”

“This act of vandalism, and recent threats to Croatian political representatives in Bugojno and the violent tearing down of the Croatian flag in Bugojno and Vares, comprise serious incidents directed against the Croat people in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the statement said, noting that “attacks on Croat premises and symbols create fear and distrust and must not be ignored.”

“Hence the Embassy of Croatia calls on the highest competent institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to condemn these incidents, and to shed light on their background and punish those responsible,” the statement said.

The embassy recalled that “the Croatian state wishes to be a sincere friend and is committed to all efforts to support that country on its European and Euro-Atlantic journey, to guarantee the equality of all three constituent peoples and all citizens, and to strengthen the respect of coexistence, tolerance and rule of law.”