There are many reactions to the statement of the high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, who said that the abolition of the OHR and the departure of foreign judges would lead to the disintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The opinion of legal experts is that it is bad that foreigners have to be in BiH, but that it is clear that we cannot do without them at the moment. The question arises, why BiH as a country has not strengthened since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, so that it would be functional on its own before entering the European Union without foreigners who behind the scenes have to pull the strings with which they implement the most important projects.
The High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, loudly said what everyone fears and said: “OHR remains in BiH”.
“In the coming years, it will have to remain like this. Until we have a complete democratic society that is part of the European Union. Because there is too great a danger that there could be a conflict and that the country could fall apart,” Schmidt stated for N1.
The Chairman of the BiH Presidency reacted immediately, saying that BiH does not depend on the OHR. While others say – there is no conflict or splitting of the state.
“The existence of our country does not depend on OHR. The survival of Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on all its citizens, especially those who love it and identify with it. That statement by Schmidt, to put it mildly, is appropriate for him and his character, it is arrogance. You cannot come to someone’s house, in any capacity, not even in the capacity that Schmidt has, and say that the survival of that house depends on the position you have”, Komsic added.
“It’s always the last sentence. Everyone here knows what happens when radical solutions are started. It’s normal that there will be conflict, no one will talk about the third entity, no one will talk about shutting down the entity, without one of the parties reacting “, said Elmedin Konakovic, BiH foreign minister.
The impossibility of functioning without foreigners, even 28 years after the signing of the Dayton Agreement, is a defeat for local politicians, this is the opinion of experts, but statements like this of the high representative are nevertheless careless, and do not lead BiH to independence, but can cause fear among citizens.
“I think the statement is exaggerated, that it is subject to abuse, that’s why I think the way he gave it is quite careless. But I think it testifies to the fact that the level of consultation and compatibility of the policy and procedures undertaken by the high representative is not sufficient”, said Milan Sitarski, political analyst.
“Those who are the biggest proponents of expelling the high representative are actually ensuring with their move that the high representative is still there. And unfortunately, Bosnia and Herzegovina still needs him”, explains Zijad Becirovic, director of IFIMES.
“We all live in some fear, tensions, intolerance, which is definitely a product of the non-functioning of BiH institutions, and this did not happen overnight”, Aleksandar Jokic, expert in law, says.
And while the high representative warns of the uncertain future of BiH, the main question is when and who will decide for us instead of us, because BiH. politicians can’t agree on almost anything.
