SARAJEVO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A resolution on strengthening the political status of ethnic Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), passed by the Croatian Parliament on Wednesday, has drawn strong criticism from officials in BiH.
Denis Becirovic, chair of the Presidency of BiH, strongly condemned the resolution, describing it as an unacceptable intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
In a sharp diplomatic rebuke, Becirovic said the resolution runs counter to the spirit of good-neighborly cooperation. He emphasized that Croatia has no authority to meddle in BiH's domestic affairs, asserting that any decisions regarding the country's political and constitutional order rest solely with its own state institutions, in accordance with national laws and the constitution.
Meanwhile, BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic told local media that Sarajevo will host a meeting on Aug. 5 to review the representation of constituent peoples within state institutions and lower levels of government.
Konakovic said that these factions have narrowed the debate entirely on the election of the Croat member of the BiH Presidency - an issue he considers legitimate and worthy of discussion.
The resolution calls on the Croatian government to maintain its support for the political equality of Croats in BiH and to oppose any electoral reforms that could undermine their capacity to elect their own legitimate representatives.
It also expresses support for electoral models advocated by Bosnian Croat representatives, including proposals calling for the creation of a separate electoral constituency for Croats in BiH. ■