British Ambassador Nigel Casey to B&H: I Have Done My Best to Contribute to Positive Change Here

The mandate of the British ambassador Nigel Casey to B&H ends at the beginning of January. He will return to London in the position of the Adviser for Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of the Prime Minister David Cameron.

Nigel Casey took up his post as the British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2011. Before this, he served at the British High Commission in New Delhi as Political Counsellor and then as Deputy Head of the Mission.

Ambassador Casey spoke to Sarajevo Times about what needs to occur in order for B&H to move forward, what he was especially proud of during his mandate as Ambassador in B&H, and whether the EU should change its strategy towards B&H.

1. Dear Ambassador, how would you assess the work of B&H leaders? According to you, will the Sejdic-Finci issue be resolved, and will B&H finally be able to move forward towards a better future?

It’s not my job to assess the work of BiH leaders, that’s for voters to do. My view is that BiH will only move forward decisively when voters send their politicians a clear signal, via elections, that securing a better future in the EU is more important to them than arguing about the past.

2. Do you think that the EU should change its strategy towards B&H? What has been successful by the EU’s approach so far in B&H, and what hasn’t?

Obviously the EU finds it difficult to understand that, when every other country in this region is working hard to secure membership, and when tens of thousands of people are on the streets of Kiev in freezing temperatures demanding a European future, people here seem focused on other priorities, disinclined to take difficult decisions, and to expect the EU to do all the hard  work to make membership happen. The EU will continue to be engaged here, but we need serious partners to make progress. As I said, I think a strong message from voters that EU membership is a priority is an essential first step before BiH will really get into a firm forward dynamic.

3. How would you assess your work in B&H? What are you most proud of? And, is there something that you wanted but were not able to successfully finish during your mandate here?

I have done my best to contribute to positive change here, travelling as widely as possible and engaging all parts of this society. I’m proud to have helped affirm the position of the UK as a leading friend and advocate of this country’s European future. And I’m delighted that we have put our presence here on a long-term footing, moving our Embassy to new, modern premises.

I had hoped that before I left the status of the cultural institutions would have been resolved, so that they could all serve the public in the way they should. They, and those who would love to be able to visit them in decent conditions, have been let down by those in positions of responsibility who are more interested in being seen at football matches than at museums and galleries. I enjoy football too, but there’s a danger of a whole generation of children growing up in ignorance of this country’s rich history and culture.