“We appeal to the Government, Prime Minister and President of Croatia to join forces in effectively contributing to the interests of Croats in Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the Croatian Diaspora Congress said in a resolution adopted after a three-day meeting in Mostar, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The participants said that the failure to amend electoral legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina showed how dramatic the situation in that country was, urging the Croats to vote in the general election, scheduled for 2 October, to help the Croatian people survive in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
There is a risk of the four times more numerous Bosniaks again electing the Croat member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency and a third of Croatian delegates, in which way they would elect and control the government without the leading Croatian parties for which most Croats vote.
The Croatian Diaspora Congress called on the authorities in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to reverse the negative demographic trends, saying that this could be achieved by boosting economic and overall development. It said that the Croatian diaspora had a huge potential, calling on Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and elsewhere to establish ties for the purposes of economic progress. It also called for fostering the Croatian cultural and national identity, highlighting the important role of the Catholic Church.
The Fifth Croatian Diaspora Congress was held under the auspices of Croatia’s Parliament and State Office for Croats Abroad, the Croatian National Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the City of Mostar. It was organised by Croatian associations from around the world.
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