High Representative and EU special representative to BiH Miroslav Lajčák once again draws attention to the pointlessness and harmfulness of the nationalist and anti-state rhetoric and thus to the neglecting of BiH’s European road. European integration must be above the daily politics. Recent appearances of the RS prime minister Milorad Dodik in Zagreb represent a direct confirmation of his fundamental lack of understanding of European values, such as good neighborly relations and inter-ethnic tolerance. It is not by accident that his statements have encountered a very negative reaction on the part of the other two constituent peoples in BiH and that these are creating an atmosphere of mistrust in the region.
It is a destructive not a constructive way of conducting the pre-electoral campaign. Utilization of nationalistic platform for one’s own promotion is counter-productive to the creation of a healthy political atmosphere. Stability and prosperity of the whole country, which includes both entities, depends on a positive political atmosphere. The tense situation suits only those who are interested in disorder.
We frequently hear statements raising tensions coming from high-ranking political parties’ officials, among whom Rajko Vasic from the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats has precedence. As a person who carries out a public duty he must be aware of his responsibility and possible consequences of his public positions. Also, he must be aware of the fact that BiH is a multi-ethnic country and that use of the language of inter-ethnic hatred by anyone will not be tolerated.
One of the consequences of the poisoned atmosphere is the fact that some politicians in this country are not ready to cooperate with their fellow citizens, in other words they do not consider citizens of other ethnicities as their own, and they are unwilling to assume full responsibility for running this country. The High Representative and EU Special Representative particularly wishes to point out that the inflammatory rhetoric, even with the clear absence of potential for putting such rhetoric into practice, represents the greatest obstacle to fulfilling one of two political requirements for closure of OHR and its transition into the Office of the EU Special Representative, and that is a positive evaluation of the situation in BiH by the PIC, which is something that the leaders of this country should not consider a mere formality.
The High Representative and EU Special Representative constantly reiterates that Bosnia and Herzegovina is internationally recognised and unquestionable, and that raising this question is a futile effort. He expects that citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will not allow to be drawn into this manipulation that has only one purpose, which is to divert attention from issues that are of crucial importance for them and this country, such as the European future, new jobs, fight against corruption and poverty, and increasing accountability of elected politicians. OHR does not want to see an election campaign full of inappropriate statements by irresponsible politicians and constant reactions to them, but at the same time it will not hesitate to react in specific situations, if it concludes that the limit of tolerance has been crossed.