ZAGREB, January 22, 2018 – Croatian Interior Minister Davor Božinović said on Monday that during his recent visit to Washington, more intensive cooperation between Croatian and U.S. security agencies had been established and he added that he and his hosts had also discussed a state of affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We have turned a new page concerning the cooperation between our security services and interior ministry and U.S. agencies such as the FBI,” Božinović said in Zadar where he was attending ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of the liberating operation Maslenica.
Asked by reporters whether his meetings with U.S. officials also focused on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian minister answered in the affirmative. “Bosnia and Herzegovina is always on the agenda within the overall regional security and stability, and Croatia is an important factor, Croatia serves as a model for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for other countries showing that the implementation of reforms, democratisation, strengthening of the market and the rule of law is conducive to efforts to become a member of NATO and the European Union. This is what we want for our neighbours, Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Božinović said.
He went on to say that Croatia can only benefit from its cooperation with the USA.
The United States is glad to see that in this part of the world it has a close partner and ally in Croatia, he added.
Last week, the Interior Davor Božinović met with Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Eurasia A. Wess Mitchell, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher Wray, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke and other officials.
