Jovic said that Bosnia-Herzegovina was entering a crucial period ahead of the reform of the Dayton peace agreement, which he described as being unjust to the Croats of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Jovic said that the constitution was already being changed to the detriment of the Croats, and criticised the international community for allegedly wanting to "belittle the Croats and drive them out of Bosnia-Herzegovina."
Jovic called for the creation of a Croatian-language education system in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and described a proposed media bill that prevents the introduction of a Croatian-language broadcasting channel as racist.
On behalf of the Croatian government, the gathering was addressed by the Assistant Minister of Science, Education and Sport, Pavo Barisic, who said that Croatia would continue assisting in the preservation of the Croatian national and cultural identity by assisting in the construction of educational, health and cultural institutions for Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Barisic pointed out that Croatia advocated the right of the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina to use the Croatian language in accordance with international conventions.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, sent a telegram saying he could not attend due to pressing engagements.
It was announced that a declaration on the constitutional position of the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina would be issued on the second day of the symposium on Friday.
The symposium was organised by the Croatian Society for Science and Arts of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the University of Mostar.