In a number of recent media interviews and speeches senior officials of the Government of Republika Srpska have summarized the Government’s priorities for 2016. It is important to take note of what the RS leadership itself is saying. Too often the international commentariat only reports what critics of the RS government are saying, ignoring what the RS leadership actually says and does.
Three Priorities
In year-end interviews and comments, RS leaders have set out three overarching priorities: BiH-level reform, economic development, and security. These three areas are, of course, closely linked and interdependent; reforms of BiH institutions are needed to accelerate economic development and provide essential security.
In identifying these priorities, the RS leadership finds itself very much in line with the priorities identified by the most knowledgeable international community experts and diplomats as well as EU officials responsible for Bosnia’s EU accession program. A November seminar at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies gathered many U.S. and international organization officials and academics to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords. Virtually all speakers emphasized the priority of economic development and BiH government reform. Several of those attending made it clear that reforms necessary to advance the economy and gain EU membership did not include amendments to the Constitution of BiH or centralization of government authorities in Sarajevo.
Cooperation between RS and Federation Praised. In contrast to the conventional wisdom typically emphasizing conflict and dysfunction, the experts from the World Bank, IMF and EBRD who actually work day to day with local government officials, commented favorably on the cooperation between leaders in Republika Srpska and the Federation. The prime ministers of the two entities, both in attendance, agreed that cooperation between the entities and with EU officials had been very good and had resulted in significant progress on reforms to meet EU accession goals.
In the days and months ahead, BiHDaytonProject will focus on the reform effort’s challenges and successes, as well as on support and opposition to reform. Reports will be collected in the section on this site headed, “FOCUS ON: BiH Government Reform.”
