Stjepan Mesic, the former president of Croatia and the last president of Yugoslavia, told that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) must join the European Union (EU) because in that way it will no longer be a “motive for war”, and added that Zagreb and Belgrade are the main culprits for obstructions in BiH.
The entry of all the countries of the former Yugoslavia into the EU would enable the further development of the union, which in turn would “enrich Europe”, said Mesic. In Mesic‘s opinion, Europe lacks leadership because “real leaders” would insist on quick involvement and assistance to those countries with less potential.
Mesic said that in recent years, the EU and the United States (U.S.) failed to put pressure on reforms in the country, which in turn led nationalist political leaders to “capture” the country.
“On the one hand, you have those who fight for a civil state, for a European state and those who want to profit from nationalism. Some even want to separate parts of BiH to join other states. That’s a problem,” Mesic said.
Mesic pointed out that BiH will not be able to take a step in a positive direction because Serbia and Croatia are interfering in its affairs, and it will remain so as long as Europe and the world “tolerate” it.
“The real problem is neither in Mostar, nor in Sarajevo, nor in Banja Luka. The problem is in Zagreb and Belgrade. This interference in the country’s politics prevents Bosnia from getting closer to EU membership,” Mesic said.
“BiH is a fact and neither Dodik nor Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) cannot change that. Bosnia exists today, and Bosnia will exist in the future,” Mesic added, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
