BiH will become a politically visible subject in the world by joining NATO

Candidate for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH Bakir Hadžiomerović, in an interview for the BiH news agency Patria, talks about what needs to be done to restore the dignity of the BiH Presidency, where and how he sees BiH in four years, and what message he has for voters before the General Elections on October 12.

PATRIA: As president, what would you do first for BiH, or rather, what would you change if you could, and in which direction are your thoughts going?

HADŽIOMEROVIĆ: We must restore the dignity of the BiH Presidency. It is a symbol of Bosnian-Herzegovinian statehood that has been systematically degraded in recent years, which has resulted in the complete international isolation of our homeland. Do you remember when the members of the BiH Presidency last had an official meeting with a statesman from a world superpower, when the prime minister or president of a serious European country visited Sarajevo? BiH's international credibility has been dragged down to a critical point because the current members of the BiH Presidency have spent the last four years dealing with their own conflicts and disputes and private interests, rather than representing the interests of the state. Their diplomatic activity culminates in meetings with deputy assistant ministers from around the world and lower-ranking diplomats from Brussels who do not actually make important decisions. Unfortunately, due to the inaction of the current convocation of the Presidency, they present their success on the domestic front only through meetings with ambassadors accredited in Sarajevo, while on the foreign policy level, it is the division of spoils regarding diplomats in our diplomatic and consular network. This must be corrected immediately to pull ourselves out of the mire into which the inactive have led us.

PATRIA: Given your long career as a journalist and editor of the most watched political magazine "60 Minutes", how do you feel as a politician today? What has changed, and whose responsibility is greater, that of a journalist or a politician, towards the citizens?

HADŽIOMEROVIĆ: There must be responsibility in every job, including journalism and politics. My candidacy may have been surprising to some at the beginning, but I am sure that all BiH citizens understand today that it was a natural progression of events. For ten years, I exposed crime and corruption and attacks on the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and because of that, my family and I were often exposed to danger. Everyone who loves this country and its people has an obligation to do something concrete for their homeland, and that is why I will quote Kennedy's words: "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." Fighting corruption and crime, uncovering the masterminds of political assassinations, and creating real opportunities for young people are at the top of my priorities in the next four years.

PATRIA: How do you see BiH in the next four years? I mean both internal policy/organization and Euro-Atlantic integration?

HADŽIOMEROVIĆ: I will advocate for us to establish a concrete position on the Sejdić-Finci ruling in the BiH Presidency as soon as possible, so that our fellow citizens finally stop being second-class citizens. Also, by the end of the year, we must have an agreement on state property to unblock our path to full membership in NATO, because only that guarantees that Bosnia and Herzegovina will become a politically visible subject in the global arena. Furthermore, we must seriously focus on constitutional reform because this Dayton framework is flawed. BiH citizens are asking for this, not just our friends from around the world. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but to achieve any progress, we must first start working and cooperating in the interest of all peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

PATRIA: The General Elections are just a few days away. What is your message to the voters and all those who are still thinking about whether to vote at all?

HADŽIOMEROVIĆ: The only human right that is firmly guaranteed in a country like Bosnia and Herzegovina is the right to free voting in elections. All other human rights are threatened, to a greater or lesser extent. And that is why I appeal: people, go out and vote and exercise your right to choose the best. And please, do not sell your vote to political manipulators and criminals for 20 or 30 marks. That money will certainly not ensure your livelihood, and in return, you will enable political scoundrels to destroy our future. The time has finally come when we do not have to choose between the lesser and the greater evil. That is why I am sure that people will choose the continuation of reforms and our path forward. We do not want their Dayton mud; we want to join the EU and NATO. Vote for SDP and Bakir instead of Bakir in the BiH Presidency.