Željana Zovko leads EP delegation to Međugorje and Mostar

From 2 to 4 July, European Parliament member Željana Zovko, co‑chair of the EPP group’s inter‑religious and intercultural dialogue working group, headed a delegation of MEPs on an official visit to Međugorje and Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The trip was organised to acquaint the delegates with the situation of Catholics and the Croatian community in Bosnia, the challenges of preserving their religious, cultural and national identity, and the role of the Catholic Church.

In Međugorje the delegation attended a mass at St James parish, visited the Apparition Hill and met priest Fr Zvonimir Pavičić. A meeting with Čitluk municipal council president Ivica Jerkić and Deputy Defence Minister Slaven Galić highlighted Bosnia’s European path, the status of Croats as a constituent people and local development priorities. In Mostar the group met Bishop Mons. Petar Palić, discussing demographics, the position of Croats and other Catholics, and the Church’s contribution to education, culture and social care. Additional talks were held with Deputy Foreign Minister Josip Brkić, Justice Minister Davor Bunoza, and the president of the Herzegovina‑Neretva Canton, Maria Buhač, focusing on political reforms, electoral law changes and the opening of EU accession negotiations.