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At the time of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the interest of the European Union and NATO for the security of the Western Balkans, respectively for the prevention of the impact of the war in Ukraine in this region, has increased.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has been identified as the “most sensitive point”, where there may be negative influence from Russia, especially when considered internal crisis political in this country, which continues for years.
The European Union, in many domestic documents, has described the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as “the biggest political crisis since the end of the war” in the 1990s.
For the EU, the problem is the behavior of Millorad Dodikut, leader of the Bosnian Serb entity known as Republika Srpska. Dodik speaks openly about the dissolution of this state and has already started the process of transferring competencies from the state level to that of the Serb entity.
But a serious problem is also the relations between the political leaders of Bosniaks and Croats, which constitute the entity known as the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Croats have complained that in many cases they are outvoted by the larger Bosniaks, and that they are “denied the right to elect their representatives”.
Under these circumstances, Bosnia’s state institutions have been almost paralyzed for years.
The EU has repeatedly called for overcoming divisions and resolving problems so that Bosnia and Herzegovina can secure EU candidate status.
“Our cries have been met with deaf ears. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to convince political leaders to reach solutions for electoral reform and constitutional reform,” an EU diplomat told Radio Free Europe.
He also mentions the latest case of non-approval of the budget for financing the elections, which will take place in the fall of this year.
“If it were not for the decision of the High Representative in Bosnia, Christian Schmidt, to set the budget for the elections, the financial means would hardly have been provided. “In this way, there have been attempts to prevent the conduct of elections through obstacles to funding,” said the diplomat.
Although EU officials say they have supported holding the elections on time, despite the failure of negotiations on electoral reform, they acknowledge that this is not good for the state of Bosnia, because, as they say, it will continue to be an obstacle to achieving European standards.
In the EU, however, they say that “they will not leave Bosnia and Herzegovina alone” and that they are committed at the highest level to help reach a solution that would move this country forward.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has personally engaged in this regard. During a visit to Sarajevo two weeks ago, he spoke with local political leaders about overcoming the political crisis and reforms that would help the state function normally.
Michel has summoned the leaders of 15 political parties from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Brussels for a meeting on June 12. With this meeting it is said that he wants to convey the message that the EU is committed at the highest level, to help Bosnia and Herzegovina.
EU sources in Brussels stress that “EU engagement can help, but reforms and success can only be ensured by the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina”.
So far, the EU has been committed to assisting Bosnia with electoral reform, along with the United States and the United Kingdom.
On behalf of the EU, the Director for the Balkans from the External Action Service, Angelina Einchorst, has mediated the negotiations for electoral reforms, but in the end she has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of results.
“No one in Western Balkans there is not much time to lose. Well, at least there are Bosnia and Herzegovina “says an EU diplomat, adding that only Kosovo – of the Western Balkan countries – is behind Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European integration process.
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One obstacle for Kosovo is the non-recognition of its citizenship by five EU member states, while Bosnia has only an obstacle to the internal political situation.
In all cases, say EU sources, “efforts to jeopardize the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be allowed.” Any solution to the crisis, according to EU sources, must take these parameters into account.
The European Union recalls that Bosnia and Herzegovina also has serious problems with the rule of law and the fight against organized crime and corruption. According to sources in the bloc, interethnic problems have become an obstacle to solving other problems. REL
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