CSS: Economic cooperation as the only way out of the political and security crisis in BiH

(Patria) - Almost unnoticed by the domestic public, burdened by numerous scandals, as well as by deliberate manipulative-political propaganda, a very important decision from Brussels regarding the extension of trade preferences for the Western Balkan countries for the next five years has passed. At a time when global trade relations are burdened by numerous disagreements and uncertainties, even questioning the very existence of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the extension and preferential access to the EU market is certainly a significant encouraging incentive on the economic level for the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was announced from the Center for Security Studies.

As a reminder, 72.6% of BiH's total exports (2024) end up on the EU market, which indicates that the primary focus of BiH's economy is precisely the market that, with this act, meets the countries of the region with which trade volume has reached more than 83 billion euros annually.

The extension of these measures until 2030 represents continuity and legal certainty for our businessmen, but at the same time can pave the way for a political discourse that should be freed from fruitless and pointless daily political-security friction, which has brought almost no progress and prosperity to citizens in the past 30 years.

The aforementioned measures are precisely aimed at encouraging the integration of the region into the single EU market, in line with the implementation of reforms from the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The declarative commitment of all political leaders in BiH has been expressed in their readiness to join and integrate into the EU. Therefore, they should demonstrate their maturity and responsibility towards their voters and focus their party programs for the next elections, as well as the period until they are held, on priorities related to economic prosperity and cooperation both domestically and regionally.

Putting aside political issues that also carry significant security risks, it would be possible to use the geopolitical opportunity that has currently opened up in the European environment, related to enlargement. Economic issues, along with stability and the rule of law, are the most important for the EU's assessment of a country's readiness for membership. This is, at the same time, an opportunity for BiH politicians to finally find a common denominator focused on the common future and interests of all citizens.

With such a commitment, they would also show their readiness to accept the approach and guidelines of the new US administration, which, after stability in BiH, wants to create preconditions for an accelerated economic and investment cycle, as the most pragmatic path to the sustainability and prosperity of our country.

It is to be hoped that the leading political leaders will recognize the geopolitical momentum of global trends and seize the opportunity that always arises in times of crisis. Moving away from further political tensions, in order to direct energy and knowledge towards improving economic possibilities and opportunities, would certainly represent a positive step forward.

Undoubtedly, all citizens of BiH would fully support a change from the current fruitless paradigm and reward responsible and capable leaders ready to make compromises and offer a perspective of a more likely future for the generations to come. International actors have expressed their readiness and have so far offered an open hand in supporting the normalization of the deteriorated political situation in BiH. At the same time, they justifiably expect domestic political actors to express, or rather, take full responsibility for the fate of the voters who have entrusted them to work in their name for the general good of society and the well-being of all citizens.