Statements by Croatian Member of the European Parliament(MEP) Zeljana Zovko about the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Christian Schmidt and the need for the federalization of BiH have met with sharp reactions within the European Parliament. Several MEPs warned that such remarks do not contribute to the country’s stability, but instead use rhetoric similar to that of the President of Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik.
The reactions were prompted by Zeljana Zovko’s statements during a session of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, where she called Schmidt “unelected,” and accused the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Elmedin Konakovic, of asking the High Representative to impose appointments in the entity government. She also asked, “Whom are we financing – the Office of the High Representative (OHR) or local institutions?”
Nemec: Unacceptable and dangerous relativization
Slovenian MEP Matjaz Nemec stated that such messages are part of a broader trend in which politicians from neighboring countries try to insert bilateral interests into European enlargement policy.
“Statements about the federalization of BiH and the delegitimization of the OHR are unacceptable. Only the citizens of BiH can decide on the political system of BiH. Such attempts must have no place in the European Union (EU),” he said.
He then emphasized that efforts to insert national agendas into official reports were stopped this time:
“As the Social Democrat negotiator for the European Parliamentreport, I can say that we ensured a balanced text that protects the integrity of BiH and European values.”
He also added that the path to the EU is the only way out of the political deadlock:
“I see the solution for the divided political landscape in EU membership. The EU must be more decisive, especially toward separatist and pro-Russian tendencies from Dodik’s circles.”
Joveva: This is not the official policy of the EU
His compatriot Irena Joveva was even more direct. She warned that the rhetoric used by Zovko is concerning because it resembles that of Milorad Dodik:
“Dodik is undermining the constitutional order, threatening secession, and strengthening ties with Vladimir Putin (Russian president). When someone from the EU adopts such a narrative, it is alarming.”
Joveva rejected the attempt to shift responsibility from domestic actors onto the OHR and the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos.
“This is not, nor can it be, the official position of the EU. The majority of MEPs clearly distance themselves from attempts to relativize the crisis in BiH.”
She also reminded of Croatia’s responsibility as a signatory of the Dayton Agreement:
“Messages like the one sent by Zovko do not ease tensions or open space for solutions, but further deepen the crisis and distance BiH from the EU. If one wants to help BiH, it must be clear that ethnonationalism, blockades, and destabilization will not have European legitimacy or political backing,” Joveva stated, among other things.
The reason for the reaction from MEPs comes after Zovko in her recent statements called the High Representative Christian Schmidt “unelected” (which she later tried to soften by saying he was appointed, but not by the citizens), and explicitly called for the federalization of BiH, at a time when the leader of the BiH entity RS, Milorad Dodik, is using, if not the same, then very similar and related language.
It is also important to point out that this is not the first time Zovko has made highly controversial positions and statements in public regarding BiH.
