The United States (U.S.) Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, assessed yesterday that the main problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is corruption, which, in his opinion, is covered by the notion of national interests.
In an interview, Escobar said the U.S. believes there is room for negotiation, flexibility, and compromise on limited changes to BiH’s constitution and election legislation, Klix.ba writes.
”And we think elections should be held this year. Elections are a very important part of the democratic process and democratic evolution. Therefore, we encourage all parties to be flexible and open and to engage in negotiations in good faith,” he said.
As for the details of the negotiations – it depends on the parties, on the leadership.
”BiH is a sovereign and independent state and we are no longer in a position to impose solutions or determine the path of its political development. We encourage this, and it needs to happen immediately, and in a way that opens the door to rapprochement with the European Union (EU) and enables them to meet the aspirations of young people to be part of Europe,” Escobar added.
Asked if the notion of national interests is used to cover up corruption Escobar says “Absolutely!”
”If you look at the problems that BiH has, the problem is not that people do not want to live with Croats, Bosniaks, or Serbs. Reputable analyzes, such as that of Transparency International, show that BiH is the most corrupt country in the Western Balkans and almost the most corrupt country in Europe. So, that is the most urgent problem,” he stated.
He assessed that dysfunction feeds corruption and creates opportunities for more corruption.
”I do not think that there is anything inherent about BiH that would predetermine it to be a corrupt country. I think this has a lot to do with the lack of political courage of the leaders,”Escobar said.
When asked what he thinks about the close cooperation between Dragan Covic and Milorad Dodik, Escobar said that he thinks that a lot of motivation comes from corruption.
”That is why I call on all leaders to work for the benefit not only of institutions but also of the people. You need to look at this action, not in the context of ethnonationalism but deepening corruption, and that is what worries me the most,” he concluded.
E.Dz.
