CRMA agreement + Bosnia + Borrell on Middle East

Christian Schmidt: ‘The benefits of European integration must be recognized’

Mr. Schmidt, In November 1995, the Dayton Peace Accords were signed at the US airbase of the same name in Ohio. You are the eighth High Representative to help Bosnia and Herzegovina get on the path to democracy. Isn’t almost 30 years a bit long for that?

Yes, which is why the series of High Representatives should soon come to an end. After all, the international community’s approach was initially to create an ad hoc institution that would bring momentum to the country’s transition to democracy after the ceasefire. Unfortunately, it has turned out that the blocking and retarding forces are so strong that this goal has not yet been achieved.

However, if there is still a High Representative and an Eufor/Althea security force on the fiftieth anniversary, we should ask ourselves whether we have not done something wrong. But we should also emphasize the positive aspects of Dayton: The peace treaty led to a ceasefire almost 30 years ago. And this ceasefire has held well so far and will continue to do so in the future.

Do you rule out armed conflicts like the recent one in Kosovo for Bosnia?

In contrast to Kosovo, the status issues in Bosnia are fully resolved – even if the leadership of Republika Srpska repeatedly threatens secession. However, the international community is committed to ensuring that the state as a whole is not up for discussion in any way.

Attacks by RS President Milorad Dodik

RS President Milorad Dodik sees things differently and repeatedly attacks your office.

This is part of a strategy he has devised that affects not only my office, but also the Constitutional Court, which is the strongest legal institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Behind this is an attempt to demote Republika Srpska to part of a loose association of states, possibly together with Serbia and Montenegro.

How realistic do you think this scenario is?

My assumption is that Dodik would not stand a chance in a referendum. However, this is countered by the fact that he has managed to create a dark field of corruption, dependencies, and connections, which has led to an authoritarian style in the Republika Srpska entity that opens the door to manipulation. That is why I would say that secession would have no chance if it were a free-will decision. In the event of continued manipulation, I would not rule out the possibility that Dodik could succeed.

What role do Russian actors play in this dark field?

Not the decisive one, but they are very present, especially in the area of corruption. The decisive factor is not where the money comes from, but how it can be used. Incidentally, this also applies to international funds, which continue to flow into the institutions of Republika Srpska.

The Eufor/Althea protection force will in future be led by a Hungarian military officer, although the government in Budapest has repeatedly and openly opposed the EU’s Bosnia policy and cooperated with Dodik.

The decision has been the subject of intense debate. The Hungarian military did not give any cause for doubt on the ground. These also stem more from Hungary’s bilateral relationship with Banja Luka. As the Eufor commander is part of the NATO and EU chain of command, I am not particularly upset. On the contrary – the decision accentuates the responsibility of the neighboring states, and that’s a good thing. Only if we maintain stability in the region will there be no spillover into other parts of the Western Balkans.

‘I would be delighted if the Germans were also more involved’

Should the Bundeswehr provide more troops for Eufor?

I could well imagine that. However, not to increase the number of uniforms with black, red and gold, but to ensure greater mobility, more mobility in the mountainous terrain of Bosnia. For many people, for whom the war and the siege of Sarajevo are literally still in their bones, Eufor is also a kind of reassurance of international interest. In this respect, more thought needs to be given to its scope and presence. In any case, I would be delighted if the Germans were also more involved. Germany continues to stand for trust, solidity, and stability in Bosnia.

Do you not think that Eufor can be installed quickly at the moment?

As recently as spring, there were fears that if, for example, the Wagner mercenaries were deployed in northern Bosnia, it would take five hours to get there from the Eufor headquarters near Sarajevo. A fire department that takes too long and has too few hoses cannot fight the fire effectively.

Do you see any potential flashpoints along the entity borders between Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croatian Federation?

The situation is stable at the moment.

Is there a risk of Islamist attacks? The influence of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states is said to have grown recently.

Don’t forget that the Iranian government has an information office right in the center of Sarajevo. And so far Iran has not shown that it is really interested in pacification and reassurance. But I don’t find the claim that most of the Islamist fighters in Europe come from Bosnia convincing. On the contrary: even if there are some Salafist villages, coexistence is relatively open here, especially in the cities.

‘Accession decision must be made within five years’

You said that in 20 years there should no longer be a High Representative. Does this mean that Bosnia can expect to wait another decade before joining the European Union?

No. In Bosnia, tangible benefits of European integration must become apparent in a timely manner. In the meantime, surveys show that only one in five people in Republika Srpska still see these benefits. This is part of the dark field that I have described. The decision must therefore actually be made in the next five years.

Why?

Because young people in particular are saying that they will move to the European Union themselves if the EU does not come to Bosnia. This brain drain is already taking place today – to the detriment of the country, to the advantage of Germany, for example, which benefits from the fact that well-trained specialists succeed here. What the EU should try to do is find a way to ensure that investments flow back into the country via start-ups, for example. With international support, this should be possible in many more cases in the future.

Borrell wants to push for ceasefire in the Middle East

By

Eric Bonse

Following massive criticism, particularly from Germany, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wants to take a more active role in the Middle East war. “I will be traveling to Israel, Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan on Tuesday”, the Spaniard announced at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. However, his mission is unclear. The foreign ministers are still not on the same page when it comes to Middle East policy.

On Sunday evening, they had agreed on a joint declaration. It speaks of “immediate pauses” in the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas as well as the establishment of “humanitarian corridors” in the Gaza Strip. “The word immediate has been added”, emphasized Borrell. “There must be an urgent ceasefire, and it must be immediate”, he demanded. However, not all ministers are following this line; Berlin is standing in the way.

It would be “naive” to believe that peace could be guaranteed through a ceasefire or a truce, said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit in Berlin. A unilateral ceasefire would allow Hamas to procure new weapons and continue the war. In addition, Hamas is continuing to fire on Israel and is making no attempt to release the more than 200 hostages.

‘Only making progress in the smallest of steps’

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed similar sentiments in Brussels. The Green politician reported on her trip to the Middle East and called for a policy of small steps. “The bitter reality is that we are only making progress in the smallest of steps,” said Baerbock. “The situation is at breaking point,” she added. It is crucial “that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza is contained and that the non-stop threat to Israel from Hamas (…) is stopped”.

France, on the other hand, went well beyond the joint declaration presented by Borrell. Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna not only called for quick ceasefires – they should also last longer. “These pauses should be immediate and long-lasting”, she emphasized. The French line is shared by Spain, Ireland, and Belgium, among others.

Luxembourg is also calling for an end to the Israeli attacks. “Hospitals must not be a battlefield”, said Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn at what was probably his last Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels (due to the change of government). Israel must exercise more restraint, explained the EU’s longest-serving foreign minister.

Three commandments, three prohibitions

After the meeting in Brussels, Borrell attempted to reconcile the divergent positions. All member states agreed that the war had to be ended with a two-state solution, he said at his closing press conference. They had also agreed on common principles for the time after the war. He described them as “three times no and three times yes”.

The three prohibitions include the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, a possible re-occupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel, and a special solution for the embattled crisis region. According to Borrell, the three commandments demand that Gaza be placed under a joint Palestinian authority after the war – without Hamas. In addition, the Arab states would have to be included in a solution.

‘We have shifted the problem onto the USA’

Last but not least, the EU must also do more. “We have shifted the problem onto the USA, we must now get more involved, otherwise the spiral of violence will continue”, said Borrell. However, he admitted that his plan would meet with resistance in both Israel and the Arab countries. The government in Israel had even initially told the Spaniard that he was not welcome.

On his trip to Tel Aviv, he must expect strong headwinds. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a fight against the militant Islamist Hamas “until total victory”. “You all have the same goal – we will win”, Netanyahu told members of the Desert Reconnaissance Battalion on Monday. Meanwhile, the bombardment of Gaza continued.

New Russia sanctions on Wednesday

The EU’s call for an immediate ceasefire has apparently gone unheard. At the same time, there is growing concern in Brussels and some Eastern European capitals that the Middle East conflict could push the war in Ukraine into the background. Borrell, on the other hand, declared that Ukraine was still at the top of the EU’s agenda. However, no decisions were taken.

Behind the scenes, there was displeasure about the slow delivery of artillery ammunition and the still unclear financing of additional arms deliveries to Ukraine. Berlin wants to massively increase German aid for Kyiv, but rejects Borrell’s plans to increase the joint military aid fund for Ukraine by €20 billion.

The 12th package of sanctions against Russia is also still being wrangled over. It was originally due to be presented last week. “Final details” still needed to be clarified, said Borrell. The final package is now to be presented on Wednesday. It includes “new export bans on diamonds, among other things, as well as steps to tighten the oil price cap”, said Borrell.

Christian Schmidt: ‘The benefits of European integration must be recognized’

Mr. Schmidt, In November 1995, the Dayton Peace Accords were signed at the US airbase of the same name in Ohio. You are the eighth High Representative to help Bosnia and Herzegovina get on the path to democracy. Isn’t almost 30 years a bit long for that?

Yes, which is why the series of High Representatives should soon come to an end. After all, the international community’s approach was initially to create an ad hoc institution that would bring momentum to the country’s transition to democracy after the ceasefire. Unfortunately, it has turned out that the blocking and retarding forces are so strong that this goal has not yet been achieved.

However, if there is still a High Representative and an Eufor/Althea security force on the fiftieth anniversary, we should ask ourselves whether we have not done something wrong. But we should also emphasize the positive aspects of Dayton: The peace treaty led to a ceasefire almost 30 years ago. And this ceasefire has held well so far and will continue to do so in the future.

Do you rule out armed conflicts like the recent one in Kosovo for Bosnia?

In contrast to Kosovo, the status issues in Bosnia are fully resolved – even if the leadership of Republika Srpska repeatedly threatens secession. However, the international community is committed to ensuring that the state as a whole is not up for discussion in any way.

Attacks by RS President Milorad Dodik

RS President Milorad Dodik sees things differently and repeatedly attacks your office.

This is part of a strategy he has devised that affects not only my office, but also the Constitutional Court, which is the strongest legal institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Behind this is an attempt to demote Republika Srpska to part of a loose association of states, possibly together with Serbia and Montenegro.

How realistic do you think this scenario is?

My assumption is that Dodik would not stand a chance in a referendum. However, this is countered by the fact that he has managed to create a dark field of corruption, dependencies, and connections, which has led to an authoritarian style in the Republika Srpska entity that opens the door to manipulation. That is why I would say that secession would have no chance if it were a free-will decision. In the event of continued manipulation, I would not rule out the possibility that Dodik could succeed.

What role do Russian actors play in this dark field?

Not the decisive one, but they are very present, especially in the area of corruption. The decisive factor is not where the money comes from, but how it can be used. Incidentally, this also applies to international funds, which continue to flow into the institutions of Republika Srpska.

The Eufor/Althea protection force will in future be led by a Hungarian military officer, although the government in Budapest has repeatedly and openly opposed the EU’s Bosnia policy and cooperated with Dodik.

The decision has been the subject of intense debate. The Hungarian military did not give any cause for doubt on the ground. These also stem more from Hungary’s bilateral relationship with Banja Luka. As the Eufor commander is part of the NATO and EU chain of command, I am not particularly upset. On the contrary – the decision accentuates the responsibility of the neighboring states, and that’s a good thing. Only if we maintain stability in the region will there be no spillover into other parts of the Western Balkans.

‘I would be delighted if the Germans were also more involved’

Should the Bundeswehr provide more troops for Eufor?

I could well imagine that. However, not to increase the number of uniforms with black, red and gold, but to ensure greater mobility, more mobility in the mountainous terrain of Bosnia. For many people, for whom the war and the siege of Sarajevo are literally still in their bones, Eufor is also a kind of reassurance of international interest. In this respect, more thought needs to be given to its scope and presence. In any case, I would be delighted if the Germans were also more involved. Germany continues to stand for trust, solidity, and stability in Bosnia.

Do you not think that Eufor can be installed quickly at the moment?

As recently as spring, there were fears that if, for example, the Wagner mercenaries were deployed in northern Bosnia, it would take five hours to get there from the Eufor headquarters near Sarajevo. A fire department that takes too long and has too few hoses cannot fight the fire effectively.

Do you see any potential flashpoints along the entity borders between Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croatian Federation?

The situation is stable at the moment.

Is there a risk of Islamist attacks? The influence of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states is said to have grown recently.

Don’t forget that the Iranian government has an information office right in the center of Sarajevo. And so far Iran has not shown that it is really interested in pacification and reassurance. But I don’t find the claim that most of the Islamist fighters in Europe come from Bosnia convincing. On the contrary: even if there are some Salafist villages, coexistence is relatively open here, especially in the cities.

‘Accession decision must be made within five years’

You said that in 20 years there should no longer be a High Representative. Does this mean that Bosnia can expect to wait another decade before joining the European Union?

No. In Bosnia, tangible benefits of European integration must become apparent in a timely manner. In the meantime, surveys show that only one in five people in Republika Srpska still see these benefits. This is part of the dark field that I have described. The decision must therefore actually be made in the next five years.

Why?

Because young people in particular are saying that they will move to the European Union themselves if the EU does not come to Bosnia. This brain drain is already taking place today – to the detriment of the country, to the advantage of Germany, for example, which benefits from the fact that well-trained specialists succeed here. What the EU should try to do is find a way to ensure that investments flow back into the country via start-ups, for example. With international support, this should be possible in many more cases in the future.

Borrell wants to push for ceasefire in the Middle East

By

Eric Bonse

Following massive criticism, particularly from Germany, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wants to take a more active role in the Middle East war. “I will be traveling to Israel, Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan on Tuesday”, the Spaniard announced at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. However, his mission is unclear. The foreign ministers are still not on the same page when it comes to Middle East policy.

On Sunday evening, they had agreed on a joint declaration. It speaks of “immediate pauses” in the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas as well as the establishment of “humanitarian corridors” in the Gaza Strip. “The word immediate has been added”, emphasized Borrell. “There must be an urgent ceasefire, and it must be immediate”, he demanded. However, not all ministers are following this line; Berlin is standing in the way.

It would be “naive” to believe that peace could be guaranteed through a ceasefire or a truce, said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit in Berlin. A unilateral ceasefire would allow Hamas to procure new weapons and continue the war. In addition, Hamas is continuing to fire on Israel and is making no attempt to release the more than 200 hostages.

‘Only making progress in the smallest of steps’

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed similar sentiments in Brussels. The Green politician reported on her trip to the Middle East and called for a policy of small steps. “The bitter reality is that we are only making progress in the smallest of steps,” said Baerbock. “The situation is at breaking point,” she added. It is crucial “that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza is contained and that the non-stop threat to Israel from Hamas (…) is stopped”.

France, on the other hand, went well beyond the joint declaration presented by Borrell. Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna not only called for quick ceasefires – they should also last longer. “These pauses should be immediate and long-lasting”, she emphasized. The French line is shared by Spain, Ireland, and Belgium, among others.

Luxembourg is also calling for an end to the Israeli attacks. “Hospitals must not be a battlefield”, said Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn at what was probably his last Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels (due to the change of government). Israel must exercise more restraint, explained the EU’s longest-serving foreign minister.

Three commandments, three prohibitions

After the meeting in Brussels, Borrell attempted to reconcile the divergent positions. All member states agreed that the war had to be ended with a two-state solution, he said at his closing press conference. They had also agreed on common principles for the time after the war. He described them as “three times no and three times yes”.

The three prohibitions include the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, a possible re-occupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel, and a special solution for the embattled crisis region. According to Borrell, the three commandments demand that Gaza be placed under a joint Palestinian authority after the war – without Hamas. In addition, the Arab states would have to be included in a solution.

‘We have shifted the problem onto the USA’

Last but not least, the EU must also do more. “We have shifted the problem onto the USA, we must now get more involved, otherwise the spiral of violence will continue”, said Borrell. However, he admitted that his plan would meet with resistance in both Israel and the Arab countries. The government in Israel had even initially told the Spaniard that he was not welcome.

On his trip to Tel Aviv, he must expect strong headwinds. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a fight against the militant Islamist Hamas “until total victory”. “You all have the same goal – we will win”, Netanyahu told members of the Desert Reconnaissance Battalion on Monday. Meanwhile, the bombardment of Gaza continued.

New Russia sanctions on Wednesday

The EU’s call for an immediate ceasefire has apparently gone unheard. At the same time, there is growing concern in Brussels and some Eastern European capitals that the Middle East conflict could push the war in Ukraine into the background. Borrell, on the other hand, declared that Ukraine was still at the top of the EU’s agenda. However, no decisions were taken.

Behind the scenes, there was displeasure about the slow delivery of artillery ammunition and the still unclear financing of additional arms deliveries to Ukraine. Berlin wants to massively increase German aid for Kyiv, but rejects Borrell’s plans to increase the joint military aid fund for Ukraine by €20 billion.

The 12th package of sanctions against Russia is also still being wrangled over. It was originally due to be presented last week. “Final details” still needed to be clarified, said Borrell. The final package is now to be presented on Wednesday. It includes “new export bans on diamonds, among other things, as well as steps to tighten the oil price cap”, said Borrell.