BiH and the EU: Last Call to Direct One's Own Destiny

The story of the European Union is appealing to most, and the chapter on Bosnia and Herzegovina in it is unfortunately very short. In the whirlwind of stories about turbulent European history, countries in conflict, economic and political cooperation aimed at ensuring lasting peace, creating a growing community that generates positive development effects through its activities and norms, our country is trying to find its place. Burdened by the legacy of war, with one of the most complicated political systems in the world, rich in exceptional natural beauty, resources, cordial and hospitable people, it has not made its part of the story interesting but rather quite monotonous. Simply put, indecisiveness, inability, and excuses dominate our chapter.    

The European Union is something like the most prestigious club of the successful, which provides its members with a status symbol, power, and new opportunities for progress. Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, could be compared to a young girl who truly has the potential to be a full member of that club, but possesses an insurmountable doubt in herself and her abilities, lacks perseverance and persistence, and her family does not believe in her. 

The nature of Bosnia and Herzegovina leaves many tourists breathless. They say its cities have a soul and offer a unique and special experience. However, more and more people are leaving this country in search of a safe and dignified life. Many are tired of living in Bosnian uncertainty. Our reality is an extremely high unemployment rate, unfulfilled basic workers' rights, low wages, brain drain, a fragmented economic space, inefficient and short-term oriented public policies, and insecurity. Declarative support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's path to the EU exists in all political parties, but substantive support is lacking. It seems as if we are trapped in rigid ethno-national constructs, clichés, irrationalities, and that we, without much resistance, accept such conditions of the "game." Acting out the leadership of European politics has become a norm because genuine cooperation and commitment to reforms mean a loss of power for certain political figures whose survival is tied only to the context of maintaining controlled chaos and uncertainty. Current politics has no harmonized vision, nor the same views on how this state should look. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not speak with one voice, and Brussels hears only a deafening noise or incomprehensible sounds. We often hear that the EU should "turn a blind eye to Bosnia and Herzegovina" because we have a specific system and a difficult past. But the right solution can never be cheating. If our ambitious girl, from the beginning of the text, wants to be part of the elite club, then she really must work on all her flaws, silence the noise surrounding her, and truly and devotedly work towards achieving her goal, no matter how long and difficult that process may be.   

A society that produces ideas, invests in research, and thus increases the fund of knowledge, has stable foundations for creating a prosperous living environment. When the commercialization of innovations is achieved, then we are no longer someone knocking on the door hoping it will be opened for us, but we are the ones being knocked on. Therefore, the goal of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be high income resulting from the production of technologically sophisticated products. In this regard, the EU should not be seen as a goal to be "slipped through" to achieve, but rather to do the most possible along that path. If we all thought about ways to bring the EU here, rather than physically leaving for the elite club, we would achieve faster development of events. A cynic would take the opportunity to remind us of the vicious circle in which our country spins in its (im)posed division in almost every segment of life, as well as the lack of rule of law. And, the truth is that even for the smallest change, we need an alert attitude, motivation, faith, and knowledge. If we passively observe the events around us, progress will certainly not happen. If, however, we start primarily from ourselves and devote time to education, then we can look forward to a scenario where we sit equally at the table and discuss the modalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina's contribution to the European Union with representatives of other member states. It is up to us to decide whether we want to sit at the table or wait outside the door for the final decision of others about our own destiny.  

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Hana Imširović is a member of the Institute for Advanced Leadership, Sarajevo
International Republican Institute, Washington DC