Grlic-Radman says problems in Bosnia should be resolved through dialogue

During his official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian foreign minister told reporters in Sarajevo that sanctions against Bosnian politicians had not been on the agenda of any EU forum, so no one could say that some member states were more or less in favour of such measures.

"We should first exhaust all possibilities arising from talks and dialogue and then establish other instruments that should work to continue the reform process in Bosnia," said Grlic-Radman, who claims this is the position of not only Croatia but also of the European Union.

Bosnian Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic, with whom Grlic-Radman met earlier in the day, said that Western sanctions were expected against those responsible for endangering peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Later on Wednesday, the US Department of the Treasury said that sanctions had been imposed on Bosnian Presidency member Milorad Dodik and the Banja Luka-based Alternative Television station, which is said to be close to Dodik and the authorities of the Republika Srpska entity.

The US special envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, had warned several times that his government was prepared to resort to sanctions to punish those involved in corruption, and he explicitly mentioned Dodik.

He underscored the importance of dialogue, adding that political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina were responsible for its outcomes and that Croatia remained ready to strongly support all foreign policy goals that Bosnia and Herzegovina sought to achieve.

After the meeting with Minister Turkovic, Minister Grlic-Radman met separately with the head of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, Fra Jozo Marincic, and the Archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljic.

He said he used the opportunity to support the peacekeeping activities of the Catholic Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was facing many difficulties, and to encourage efforts to help Croats and Catholics to stay in Bosnia.

Grlic-Radman said that Cardinal Puljic significantly contributed to stabilising the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina through his work and ecumenism and that he should get recognition for that.