Head of the Regional Office of the High Representative (South) in Mostar, Sir Martin Garrod, and his associates held today a joint meeting with the Mayor of Mostar Ivan Prskalo and the Heads of the 3 municipalities with a Croat majority, Ljubo Golemac, Vjekoslav Kordic and Stipe Maric.
At the beginning Sir Martin Garrod clearly pointed out that the so-called Union of Municipalities with Croat Majority does not exist, because there is no legal basis for it, and that the meeting is held with the Heads of individual municipalities. This was the basis of the discussion about different problems of these municipalities. Garrod also expressed the opinion that in the talks held about concrete problems of individual municipalities the Deputy Heads of those municipalities should be present as well. He pointed out to the necessity of abiding by the provisions of the Interim Statute of the City of Mostar, in which it is clearly defined which tasks are under the competency of the City and which are under the competency of the Municipalities.
Mayor Prskalo and the Heads of the municipalities repeatedly clearly expressed their readiness for full and comprehensive co-operation with the international community. They pointed out to the urgency of finding solutions for certain problems, such as fuel for schools, sewage system, water supply, roads, communications and education. There are not enough financial means for solving these problems
Sir Martin Garrod stated that the OHR (S) wants to help in establishing contacts with the international institutions which could provide financial help. However, it is necessary that competent bodies in the municipalities make decisions defining which projects have priority and co-ordinate different requests. He added that clear solutions are urgently needed concerning the sources of income and budgets of the City and municipalities.
At the meeting Mayor Prskalo announced that the Croat side will soon start the initiative for the return of the Croats to the east part of the city, firstly for the return to private properties.