Sattler: Let's make 2020 the year of action

By Johann Sattler, EU Ambassador to BiH

I always try to talk to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina whenever possible. This helps me better understand their expectations and hopes from the European integration process.

Before the New Year, I visited Brčko and listened with great interest to the plans and hopes of officials and entrepreneurs for the year ahead. Brčko gives me hope that 2020 can bring change.

Brčko District is an entrepreneurial and proudly multi-ethnic part of the country, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of its establishment this March.

However, despite the initial wave of economic growth and obvious potential, recent surveys show that about half of the residents want to leave Brčko District and seek a more promising future elsewhere. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, but a symptom of the pervasive desire for a brighter future that can be felt throughout the country, especially in smaller towns.

Strategic investment in border regions is part of the EU's proactive policies, but in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which relies heavily on its relations with its neighbours, border areas can feel unusually distant from larger centres. Such differences are further deepened by underdeveloped transport connectivity, so it is important to start work soon on projects like the new international bridge in Brčko.

The renovation of the port in Brčko is one of the key planned projects that should provide a direct boost to the economy of the entire country. The EU has allocated grants in the amount of 3.1 million euros through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, as a supplement to an EBRD loan.

By Brčko District's 20th birthday, I expect even more success stories from this part of the country, whether it's the implementation of the Brčko District Government and Studen Holding initiative to improve public services for businesses, or the efficient functioning of the Office for Combating Corruption at full capacity, the adoption of new laws on associations and foundations, public gatherings and public administration reform in line with EU standards, which are just a few examples. I also visited the new police building built with EU funds, which should finally become fully operational this year.

In 2020, the application of the new budget law of Brčko District is expected to ensure stronger fiscal responsibility and greater transparency of the budget process. Authorities can only foster the trust of citizens and businesses by acting in this direction and in a way that ensures taxpayer money is distributed fairly and in the greater public interest.

Brčko has experienced numerous changes over the years. The establishment of the District at the beginning of the 2000s was incorporated into the first amendments to the BiH Constitution. In the same decade, Brčko became the site of the construction of over 200 km of roads and the creation of thousands of new jobs.

In Brčko, 2010 began with the ceremonial reopening of the completely renovated City Hall building, a symbol of Brčko and a national monument of BiH. The building was designed by Aleksandar Vittek and opened in 1892, four years before the City Hall in Sarajevo, which speaks volumes about Brčko's importance as one of the first commercial centres with a unique favourable geographical location.

Political leaders in Brčko must act unitedly and show a willingness to create a better life and improve the socio-economic situation in the District. This is precisely the consistent message that the united international community, the EU and its member states, as well as the OHR and other international partners, have sent to Brčko District. The EU will continue to strongly support all actors who are ready not only to talk, but also to take concrete action.

In fact, many of the problems faced by the citizens of Brčko District are the same ones we see across BiH. Improving the business environment, transport connectivity, and reducing the outflow of an increasing number of people from local communities are constantly highlighted in discussions. Everyone knows what needs to be done, and now we need action.

It was encouraging to hear the first address of the new Chairman of the Council of Ministers in his review of all these issues. Membership in the European Union is one of BiH's main strategic goals, which requires the engagement of the entire society and the active participation of all levels of government. Now is the time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and start implementing.

After a decade in Brčko District marked by numerous setbacks and the long-awaited appointment of a new government at the state level, 2020 can be a year of action for both Brčko and the entire country. Change is within reach, and Brčko can once again lead these efforts.