Dr. Cerić: Reconstruction of BiH diplomatic relations is necessary

The status of the city of Mostar, as well as many other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, should not be resolved by others, but a common language should be found, common interest identified, and common solutions reached, said Dr. Mustafa Cerić, an independent candidate for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at an election rally in Mostar tonight, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Therefore, Dr. Cerić emphasized, the issue of Bosniak unity arises as the issue of all issues, because without a strong people, there is no strong nation, nor improvement for all inhabitants of our country.

It is precisely in this sense, he added, that "we must arrive at solutions ourselves, and not seek short-term solutions as favors from friendly countries." Dr. Cerić also emphasizes the need to reform and strengthen our country's diplomatic and consular network.

- Our diplomatic network is a pure reflection of the country's political leadership – inactive, incapable, irresponsible. It is no wonder, considering how they reached diplomatic positions; either from family, or through friends, or from the party. Competencies are not important, it does not matter that the state, and all its peoples, are at a loss – said Dr. Cerić, and added:

- Such practice must stop. Why has the foreign affairs law been gathering dust in the Presidency's drawers for years? Why is it in the interest of the Bosniak member of the state leadership not to raise this issue, to lock it in the same drawer? Why don't we send young, smart, and capable people into the world, whose opportunities are provided by the countries they flee to from this despair? – asked Dr. Cerić.

Poor foreign policy, he added, is also reflected in relations with Turkey.

- We must certainly build friendly, brotherly relations with Turkey, but not on a protective or vassal basis, but on quality and successful cooperation between the two countries. Turkey is one of the few countries that managed to achieve significant economic growth during the global recession – said Dr. Cerić.

- It is a sad fact that all countries in the region are making ample use of this situation to mutual satisfaction, while the Bosnian-Herzegovinian, so-called political elite, due to their own short-term benefit, but also due to the current political needs of the Turkish political elite, completely ignore such benefits – emphasized Dr. Cerić.

He also cited the example of Slovenia, which is significantly smaller than Turkey, but also than our country, whose gross income is almost 20 times lower than Turkey's, but records almost four times more direct investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina than Turkey.

- Why is that? Why don't we build relations with Turkey from which both countries will benefit concretely? Instead of building such relations with Turkey, as well as with other countries, current politicians seem to be trying to isolate, close off, and make our Bosnia and Herzegovina, this beautiful and rich country, repulsive to others and to ourselves – concluded Dr. Cerić, adding that they will not succeed.