Bosnia & Herzegovina

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Daritto7117 says: 10 May 2010 17:17

Situation for Bosnia in 2010 doesn't look any better than this year....

About this Event

09 Mar 2010 @ 12:45

Roundtable Discussion with Jasenko Selimovic, Chef de Cabinet to the leader of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) in Bosnia-Herzegovina

About the Event:

Mr Selimovic updated the group on the political, economic and social situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (B-H).

With elections scheduled to take place in October of this year, B-H is on the eve of a crucial election campaign. Mr Selimovic proposed that 2010 could mark “new beginning for B-H”. The elections, combined with political developments in neighbouring states, US and EU policy to revisee B-H’s constitutional framework, give cause for optimism. Mr Selimovic reported that constitutional change was the primary issue in B-H’s domestic politics. Such change has the potential to move B-H away from the institutional competition which currently impedes progress there. Mr Selimovic emphasised the pressing need for this change to occur after the next elections if B-H is to avoid a furhter four years of stagnation. The deadline for such change is this coming May.

Mr Selimovic highlighted the constitution’s “Europe Clause” which precludes B-H from negotiating with third parties such as the EU and NATO as one nation state, as a particular case for reform. The Council of Europe has begun to press for constitutional change after a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights declared that the current constitution contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights. Mr Selimovic sees further international support behind constituional change. In his opinion, the Obama administration has taken a greater interest in B-H than the previous US administration. Vice-President Biden laid out a framework for consitutional change in a visit to the region last May. Incoming EU High Representative Lady Ashton has stated a desire for a united B-H to accede to the EU as one State. The current Spanish Presidency has pledged to organise a Sarajevo summit as a follow-up to the previous Zagreb summit. Finally, he cited a joint Austria/Greece 2014 initiative to achieve lasting stability in the region, 100 years after the beginning of World War 1 in Sarajevo.

The case for political reform is re-enforced by the deteriortating economic performance. Mr Selimovic declared that the Welfare State was close to collapse and that a ¢1,2 billion loan from the IMF was providing a short-term lifeline to an ailing B-H economy.

Our next Balkans group on this topic will feature an address by the Foreign Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday 31 March at 6pm.

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