Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said during a visit to the southern Bosnian city of Mostar on Thursday that his speech in the state parliament in Sarajevo was misinterpreted, adding that he did not apologise for the war and divisions, but expressed regret for what had happened in the past.
"I'm sorry that my speech was misinterpreted. Although the international community praised my speech, it wasn't the result of anyone's orders, including the European Union's. I stand by my every word. That wasn't an apology, I only expressed regret for what happened during the war," Josipovic told students at Mostar University.
Josipovic briefly spoke to reporters during his visit to the city's Old Bridge. He said that his speech was "a speech of friendship and readiness to admit one's own mistakes and to pave the way for a better future ahead of forthcoming changes."
"Every responsible politician, regardless of whether they are in Croatia, Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina, has the duty to look at both good and bad sides of the policy pursued by their country. They should make not just a statement, but should take a stand on it," he added.
In the evening, Josipovic attended the opening of a cultural event called the Mostar Spring Festival.
