Blagovčanin: America wants to help BiH and the region because corruption leads to destabilization

Srđan Blagovčanin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Transparency International BiH, appearing on the show Upitnik on Hayat TV, stated that corruption exists in all countries of the world, but that it is particularly pronounced in BiH and is the biggest problem this country has, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

- There must be political will to resolve corruption. It is not a technical issue. We are looking for the causes, and they are at the level of the political system.

Blagovčanin said that since the early 90s, there has been neglect, war came, and a complete collapse of all social values.

- All anti-corruption and reform measures in the country were adopted under the pressure of the international community. We were pushed into building the state and institutions. What would have happened without their engagement. What did the domestic political elite do?

He pointed out that there are two opposing groups of people in BiH: the political elite and a circle of oligarchs close to them who control state institutions and natural resources, and the citizens who are their hostages.

- This large group of people is becoming poorer and poorer, and this other group is becoming richer and richer. This small group of people will do everything to preserve their wealth.

Blagovčanin said that it is good for BiH that the American administration has an interest in this region when the region is unstable, but when the EU is shaken by a deep crisis.

- It is good that America is showing readiness to help the region. The potential for destabilization that corruption carries with it, poverty, unemployment, which is fertile ground for radicalization and conflicts, has been recognized. And that is the concern that has guided the Americans - Blagovčanin said, among other things.