Southern Interconnection and the silence of the state: Who actually decides on Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Written by: Amina Čorbo-Zećo

A leaked letter reveals a million-dollar conflict between people from Donald Trump's circle and the administration with Brussels over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Specifically, a project called the Southern Interconnection. Suddenly, we are not sure whether European integration is our commitment.

While serious political and economic battles are being waged at the international level, and the involvement of world media in this story proves that, in Bosnia and Herzegovina there is still silence today. 24 hours after media headlines, complete silence!

Those who supported the disputed law are not speaking out today. There is no word on where the state stands in all this, nor who is even representing its interests.

The European Union warned Bosnia and Herzegovina about the Southern Interconnection, and only then did a bit of dust rise. And warnings existed earlier. Part of the public, as well as certain political actors, including the Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointed out the possible consequences in time, but without much resonance. The sentence 'this is not a good solution, but we will support it' painted all the misery and wretchedness of Bosnian politics.

It is clear then why problems in this country only begin to be taken seriously when clear messages arrive from Brussels or some other foreign center of power.

At the same time, the obvious contradiction cannot be ignored in which Brussels criticizes Bosnia and Herzegovina, while its member Croatia actively supports the project that, according to them, is the subject of the dispute. Such an approach further complicates an already sensitive situation.

Nevertheless, the essential question remains internal: where are the domestic institutions? Who is leading energy policy and who is protecting the interests of the state? Instead of answers, there is a lack of reaction.

Such an attitude indicates a lack of long-term strategy and responsibility. When key decisions are made without a clear vision and without coordination, consequences inevitably come, often through international pressures and a loss of space for independent action.

Therefore, the issue of the Southern Interconnection goes beyond one project. It opens up a broader picture of the functioning of a system in which warnings are ignored, and reactions come only when the maneuvering space is already narrowed.

Ultimately, it is not just about politics but about the capacity of the state to act in its own interest. We have failed this test.

And new projects are already being announced, such as those mentioned by Edin Forto for Sarajevo Airport, in which we could easily repeat the same mistakes and once again confirm that the policy of the Troika, as well as others, is anything but state-building.