Central Bank will not destroy Hastahana, Sarajevo needs both institutions and parks

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Protests will be held in Sarajevo today over the possible sale of part of the park 'Prof. Dr. Nijaz Duraković', known to citizens as Hastahana, for the purpose of building a business facility.

On the other hand, councilors of the Centar Municipality will discuss the sale of part of Hastahana park at their session. Their intention is to sell a part of the park for slightly over 4.7 million KM, currently to the Central Bank of BiH, which would build a business facility and parking spaces there.

A perception has been created in the public that everything is being done contrary to the interests of the local community, and it is not entirely clear to anyone why this is the case.

On the other hand, this very important state institution is clear that it would never do anything against the interests of the citizens, both of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Simply put, in order to successfully fulfill its mission and mandate defined by the Law on the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, this institution is obliged to continuously work on ensuring the conditions for business in accordance with the highest professional standards at all locations where it operates.

They explain that "in this regard, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been working for a long time to secure adequate space for its Sarajevo Main Unit".

"Part of these activities is currently focused on acquiring an adequate location in the city of Sarajevo for the construction of a facility in accordance with the bank's needs, and one of those considered is the Hastahana location. In this case, we are talking about 10 percent of the current area of Hastahana park, while the remaining 90 percent, according to the proposed regulatory plan, would be green space," emphasize the Central Bank of BiH.

As has been the case so far with all facilities that the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has in other cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the intention of this institution is that the solution be implemented in accordance with the highest professional standards, with maximum respect for the views and wishes of the residents of the local community.

"Guided by the aforementioned principles, which were applied during the planning of all our previous investments, we can be sure that the planned facility, with its design, architectural solution, and number of floors, will not in any way disrupt the planned concept of the space where it will be located. This is certainly implied even if the location for the construction of the facility were Hastahana, which, despite the bank's building, would predominantly remain a park, green space, a square, a pleasant and safe place for gatherings and cultural events for all citizens and guests of the city of Sarajevo," add the CBBiH.

In addition to wanting to be a good neighbor, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a socially responsible institution, wants to improve the community in which it operates through its activities. It is unclear when the retrograde narrative began.

"In any case, you can be sure that the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to consistently implement its legally defined function for the benefit of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while respecting the interests of the local community in which it operates," note the CBBiH.

There is no doubt that this important state institution has its place in the municipality of Centar, but the story that the Central Bank would not be an obstacle to the development of the park, which will occupy 87 percent of the area, must be brought to a conclusion. If the aforementioned is realized, the safety of the park visitors themselves and their stay in it will be more secure, given that the area around the Central Bank is specially secured by security services.

Reconciling the interests of citizens and its institutions should be the goal of politicians' actions, not the subject of disputes and arguments between the government and the opposition.

Sarajevo needs parks, but also state institutions within it; if these two interests can be reconciled, constructive discussions are welcome; everything else is unnecessary and unacceptable politicking by elected political officials.