It is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s independence day, and instead of counting its economic successes, not seeing off the young and instead of boasting about multiculturalism and multiethnicity, Bosnia and Herzegovina is living through some of its most difficult moments and divisions. Where is Bosnia and Herzegovina today, thirty-two years since it became independent?
The moment when the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina was announced, exactly 32 years ago, was celebrated with so much pride. And today, thanks to political circumstances, Bosnia and Herzegovina has never been less whole and unique. The current story about the fact that we will be part of the negotiations for joining the EU at the end of March is now more uncertain than half a year ago.
ZLATKO DUKIĆ, writer and analyst
“But that does not mean that today, on March 1, we should not believe in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For a very simple reason. Bosnia and Herzegovina has not been harmed in the past centuries by much bigger, more dangerous and vicious enemies than those who are now in it and in the neighborhood and in neighborhood.”
All these years, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been going through a very difficult and thorny path. It endured a difficult war, and the peace agreement brought it a Constitution with which it still suffers today due to systematic blockades, which contributes to the uncertain future of the country.
AMIR KARIĆ, Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Tuzla
“Any attempt to destroy it in one way or another will lead to disruption and will be to the detriment of all its people who live in it. People actually understand each other, citizens understand each other. But it is necessary that the policies are understood. of our neighborhood will give up Bosnia and Herzegovina and there will be a peaceful Bosnia.”
What is most difficult today for a country like this, full of natural resources and the spirit of rich people, is the fact that it is becoming a country of the old, and its young people are leaving with a one-way ticket.
VEHID ŠEHIĆ, president of the Tuzla Citizens’ Forum
“The main struggle is how to return the citizens of its country to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Because, many people look with one eye to Ankara, the other to Belgrade, the third to Zagreb. I would like us to look with both eyes in BiH, in Mostar, in Sarajevo, in Banjaluk, Tuzlu, Trebinje, Livno, Bihać. I would like to build such a relationship with one state that it is our common state and no one has a monopoly over it.”
National and cultural societies in Bosnia and Herzegovina want to respond to the challenges faced by Bosnia and Herzegovina through their work, and recently also through joint action – not to allow people to be divided, but to connect and accept them in their differences and centuries-old traditions.
NIKOLA ČIČA, president of HKD “Napredak”
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is based on three nations that make up its flavor, its essence, but also for all those who feel differently, with the others. We must accept Bosnia and Herzegovina in such a way, with complete understanding, complete compromises. As in one family we need to have compromises, and so in BiH. I think this is a wonderful country that offers a lot to all of us, and it’s only up to us how we organize it.”
The Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be a reminder that this country wishes to be a place of secure future based on respect, honesty. Without hypocrisy and ghosts of the past. In order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to fully enjoy its independence.
