Bałkanizacja czy europeizacja? Bośnia i Hercegowina w perspektywie europejskiej (en translation)

Abstract: Bosnia and Herzegovina functions on the basis of an international agreement called the Dayton peace agreement. The agreement ended the armed conflict but the last sixteen years of experience convince us that it has not been a good basis for establishing a functioning state. There has been no consensus between the Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks about the existence of the state and no common vision of its development. On the other hand, possibilities of interference in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the international community (through the Office of the High Representative) have been used liberally. This concerns some fundamental questions of judiciary, executive and legislation. In this way the political elite bears no responsibility for the functioning of the state. Today we can speak of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sort of semi-protectorate under the supervision of international community. The implementation of necessary reforms is brought to a halt due to the fact that political elites are not interested in changing this status quo. In consequence, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been lagging behind in the EU accession process, depriving international community of influence on the course of events in the country. The EU accession is the only remaining tool that can be used to overcome the political elite’s resistance to reforms. At the same time, without the consensus of all interested parties regarding the existence of the state and its further development – any other efforts towards the integration with the EU become pointless.