In the current circumstances and with regard to the political environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the extension of EUFOR’s mandate is the best solution, told Armin Krzalic, a professor at the Faculty of Criminalistics, Criminology and Security Studies at Universtity of Sarajevo (UNSA). However, the important decision was overshadowed by the address of BiH ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Sven Alkalaj, in which he made a series of criticisms against the High Representative in BiH, at the same session where Christian Schmidt was supported by all members of the Council, except Russia.
”It is obvious that in BiH there is little pulse for conducting real-politics, so the ambassador’s speech itself is based on some unrealistic-politics. We do not have individuals working for institutions that will recognize state, national, and leave aside individual, political or party interests. It is obvious that people do not understand that they have a mission to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state, and not to say something that suits someone at the moment without taking into account whether it is the strategic interest of the state,” statedProfessor Krzalic.
Strategic analyzes of decisions are missing
It is difficult to assess the political damage caused by this performance at this moment, because the BiH ambassador indirectly criticized the United States (U.S.), the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK), which supported Christian Schmidt and the decisions he made. Krzalic believes that Alkalaj’s address will soon remain only a pale stain, but that the damage caused by this policy if it continues, could appear in the long term.
”We know how much work is needed to get some countries for friends and partners. Look at what Serbia’s foreign policy is doing, which offers African countries a visa-free regime in exchange for giving up the recognition of Kosovo, and creates a problem for Europe and us with the influx of migrants, so we can see how long this process is. While we so easily push already confirmed friends away from us because of personal interests,” pointed out Krzalic.
BiH politics lacks strategic analysis of decisions, whether it is about those imposed by the high representative or domestic institutions, Krzalic believes. Instead of a complete analysis of the High Representative’s decision, the effects of which we are already seeing in practice, some politicians behave like a ”bridewho was left“.
“The decision can only strengthen BiH”
”It does not suit me and my position so it is not good thing, and basically no strategic analysis has been done on the basis of which we would see what BiH gains in the long term. The situation here is similar to the April package, which we refer to from this distance as an agreement that would regulate the country. And we dropped that approach. We always close ourselves in our pens, presenting ourselves as the winner in our ethnic pen, and basically no one in BiH can win without the other two nations losing. So, in essence, everyone loses,” professor Krzalic warns.
Views on the High Representative’s decision have been formed rapidly, he adds. They are based on the situation in organized, democratic, civic states, and not on the real situation in which BiH has been for years.
”When you analyze the decision, it can only strengthen BiH, as it is. We know how the civic state functions outside, but the real-politics is that BiH is a state of three constituent nations and Others. This must be considered. In this case, Bosniak politics, which represents the largest part of the population, should be an example of inclusion, as it gives the opportunity for other peoples to be equal. Everyone must have the same rights, this is guaranteed by the Constitution,” concluded Professor Armin Krzalic, Avaz reports.
E.Dz.
