Bećirović: Legitimacy of Russian elections questionable, as is Hadžiabdić's presence as an observer

LJUBLJANA, (Patria) - Director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) from Ljubljana, Dr. Zijad Bećirović, told the Patria News Agency that the fact that the Russian Federation is deeply infiltrated into the defense and security system of the Republic of Serbia, as well as a significant part of the BiH entity of Republika Srpska, is concerning.

- In the event that BiH becomes a member of NATO, which it will one day, it will enter infected and contaminated with Russian influence and Russian personnel within the security and defense systems that would then be an integral part of the NATO system. Russia is capillarilly present in both BiH and the region, which speaks volumes about the West's position in this region – Bećirović stated.

He added that the West should take the statements of US General Curtis Scaparrotti about Russian influence seriously, and that BiH should be admitted to the European Union and NATO as soon as possible.

Bećirović also believes that the Strategy for the Enlargement of the Western Balkans does not provide clear input for the countries of the region, nor for Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it comes to joining the EU.

The IFIMES Director also commented on the presidential elections in Russia, stating that they "instead of a celebration of democracy, represent a farce of democracy."

- A political environment has been created that has lasted for almost 18 years, in which Vladimir Putin has no political opponent. This election campaign also showed that it was not an election campaign because Putin did not participate in it; instead, he had his seven exponents who clashed among themselves and insulted each other in a way, while Putin appeared at only one pre-election rally.

Elections are also being held in Crimea, which Russia forcibly annexed, and the question of the legality and legitimacy of these elections themselves arises. In this context, Bećirović also problematized the presence of the President of the Central Election Commission (CIK) Irena Hadžiabdić and CIK member Novak Božičković in Russia as observers, stating that by doing so, Hadžiabdić and Božičković are lending legality and legitimacy to these elections.

Bećirović believes that Russia will continue to increase its aggressive foreign policy and will be an exporter of problems.