By Sead Numanovic
Since January, Jo Lomas is Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After Nigel Casey took another position, she took over management of the Embassy in Sarajevo.
She has been working at the British Embassy as Deputy Head of Mission since June 2011. Prior to that she headed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 24 hour Global Response Centre, which deals with political and consular emergencies arising out of hours. She has previously had postings in Geneva and Damascus.
How do you see current situation in BiH?
Unfortunately we have seen little progress in BiH’s political or economic situation over the last year. Party political disputes and nationalist rhetoric continue to take precedence over anything else in BiH and we see very little willingness to compromise.
The polls tell us that people care most about jobs, the economy and tackling corruption but these issues are not being substantively addressed by the parties. Indeed we have seen leaders who are prepared to jeopardise the financial stability of an entity in order to pursue party and personal interests. Others have threatened to block the work of state institutions and the democratic process in order to achieve narrower aims.
How do you see the role of the international community in BiH?
The focus of the International Community involvement has rightly changed. BiH leaders tell us they want to join the EU and so under Peter Sorensen, the EU Delegation has expanded to offer the support an aspirant country needs in the lengthy accession process. But the EU delegation is there to support the EU accession process, not to force it on BiH or get involved in every internal dispute.
In the short term, BiH leaders need to demonstrate that they are serious about EU membership by resolving the “Sejdic and Finci” ruling, agreeing on an EU coordination mechanism and agreeing country level strategies to ensure that BiH can take full advantage of pre accession funding. Beyond that they will also need to demonstrate a willingness to work together and to take difficult decisions to deliver the broader reform necessary for EU and NATO membership.
What are your main priorities these days?
Our priority remains supporting BiH’s path to EU and NATO membership, both of which will contribute to the strengthening of BiH’s security and stability, its economic growth and the rule of law. It is important that this wider agenda does not grind to a halt during an election year.
In this election year we will be supporting local and International Organisations’ work to ensure that elections are held according to international standards. We hope that the parties will focus on policies that matter to BiH people rather than relying on unhelpful nationalist rhetoric. We also hope that the Bosnian people will make very clear to their leaders what it is they want them to deliver.
What’s the level of UK investment in BiH?
According to Central Bank of BiH information, the value of UK investment in BIH in 2012 was 51 million KM or 0.5% of total FDI in BIH. We believe BiH has much more potential for economic growth and for attractive opportunities for foreign investors. But many British companies still lack confidence to invest in this market. The challenges are similar to those faced by local companies, so it is in our mutual interest to see the business environment in BiH improved. We would like to see administrative procedures streamlined, more effective regulation, improved transparency in public procurement, an education system which better prepares young people for the jobs market and more flexible labour laws. BiH also needs to free up more investment space for private business if it is to build a strong and vibrant economy.
(Source: Dnevni Avaz interview, 7 February 2014)
