”The international community cannot ignore the steps taken by Bosnian Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik and like-minded people in past months, ” according to Germany’sMinister of State for Europe Anna Luhrmann.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, she stressed that the European Union (EU) should impose sanctions on all individuals who threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), but that there is no agreement in that regardbetween the members of the Union.
She also emphasized that official Berlin hopes that Brussels will soon start negotiations with Skopje and Tirana on the accession of North Macedonia and Albania to the Union, which, in her opinion, would be a positive signal for all those forces in the region advocating reforms and the European path of the Western Balkans.
Will Germany (and the EU) follow the example of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (U.S.) and sanction BiHpoliticians who act against the state?
”We are very worried about the constant and uninterrupted secessionist policy by the BiH entity of Republika Srpska (RS). This is a devastating road. The international community cannot ignore the steps taken by Milorad Dodik and others in recent months. We, therefore, welcome the sanctions imposed by the UK and the U.S. As we pointed out earlier, we think that the EU should impose sanctions on all individuals who threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH. Unfortunately, there has been no consensus on this topic among member states so far. Nevertheless, we are not sitting idle: the German government has decided to suspend four infrastructure projects in RS worth a total of 105 million euros. The EU also retains funding for major infrastructure projects, ” she explained.
Declaration on the European Perspective of the Western Balkans
How do you see the chances and opportunities for BiH, as well as for the rest of the Western Balkans regarding faster accession to the Union? In your opinion, how can the region solve its problems with ethnonationalists and separatists?
”The EU stands behind its declaration on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, which was reaffirmed by the conclusion of the Council from December 2021. The same applies to Germany: the region (Balkans) is a clear priority for our Government, and our support for the European path of all six Western Balkan countries is also clearly stated in the agreement of our coalition. That is why the German government has appointed Manuel Sarrazin as Special Representative for the Western Balkans countries. First, we hope to see the start of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia soon. That would send a clear signal to the whole region, which we hope will encourage others to double their reform efforts, she said, adding:
The accession process itself is based on conditions. In order for it to progress, states themselves must meet the necessary conditions. So, we strongly encourage all political actors in the region to show the necessary political will and pursue reforms in the interests of their citizens. Leaders must stop instrumentalizing ethnonationalist narratives out of self-interest and start doing their job.”
Christian Schmidt is a legitimate representative
How do you interpret the work and (non) recognition of the High Representative of the International Community Christian Schmidt? Do you expect some of his stricter moves after the decisions and attitudes from RS after his last decision?
”High Representative Schmidt is doing a very important job in BiH. He continues to play a key and active role in implementing the civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) is a significant stabilizing factor in this country. It is high time that the representatives of the RS start cooperating with him and working on real challenges. In accordance with the rules, a High Representative has been appointed by a clear majority on the relevant Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC). There is no legal basis for questioning his legitimacy. Those who do so have other motives, and that is the first and most important thing to get rid of the OHR as an institution that stands in their way of pursuing unilateral secessionist policies,” she concludeD.
E.Dz.
