Yesterday, two ministers of diplomacy, Italian Antonio Tajani and Austrian Alexander Schallenberg, sent encouraging messages to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). They said that BiH has progressed towards fulfilling the conditions for opening negotiations with the European Union (EU) and thatwith yesterday‘s visit, the unquestionable support of these two countries was expressed once again. The Austrian head of diplomacy spoke about the European fate of BiH.
Minister Schallenberg, you stated earlier that there are countries that are hesitant about opening negotiations with BiH. Which countries are they and why?
“It is not for me to name them. I believe that they are known here in Sarajevo, in BiH. Simply, the fact is that we need 27 EU members. I believe that the reform path, that we are witnessing here in BiH, is extremely promising. But it’s not over yet. Even if we have the decision of the European Council on March 21st, that we can finally open negotiations with BiH, it will actually be the beginning of a long road. I believe that is an important message. We stand by you, but these reforms are not being done because of some bureaucrats in Brussels, you are actually doing them for yourself, you are doing them in order to have a perspective especially for young people in this country, but also for the population in general”.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for new sanctions against Dodik. Do you see that as a possibility because of his very strong ties with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban?
“I think sanctioning is not the right approach. I believe that the best way is to show that his arguments are false, to advance on the European path, and to make an impression on people. Yes, we mean it, the EU is serious, you will become a member of the EU. That would be the only thing that will weaken his arguments the most, because look at Croatia, look at Slovenia. They became members of the EU and look at how rich and prosperous they became, the development they went through, all of which would be possible in BiH.
The only thing that I think is very clearly unacceptable is any talk of secessionism. This is something that is unacceptable. The path to the EU is for BiH as one state, a common state, a common community and there is no other way”.
What is your opinion when it comes to the international community in BiH, especially when it comes to the high representative and his decisions? He uses his Bonn powers very often. Is that a path you support?
“Christian Schmidt is not only a personal friend, but I support him a lot. He has a very difficult task. Actually, he is working on the same thing we are working on. In the future, one day, we want to see BiH which does not need an EU mission like EUFOR ALTHEA, which does not need Dayton, does not need a high representative. That is the future we need to work towards. Instead of thinking of him as an enemy, think of him as a partner to accompany you on this journey. And is it scary? Is itdifficult sometimes? No doubt, obviously. But he is not an enemy, he is a partner”, N1 writes.
E.Dz.
