The Struggle to Build a State
With its complicated political structure, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a long way to go to achieve needed reforms. High Representative Christian Schmidt talks with his predecessor in the country, Valentin Inzko, about the rule of law, emigration, and the role of the international community.
Valentin Inzko: There’s a diplomatic joke about the Western Balkans. When someone arrives there, they don’t understand anything at first. After a year, they think they understand something or even everything. And when they depart after six years, they’re back to not understanding anything. Almost 30 years ago, the Dayton Agreement was signed to end war and establish peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The international community has been present since in this wonderful country. Christian, you’ve been the High Representative there for almost three years. How much do you understand?
Christian Schmidt: We Europeans from the EU still don’t understand everything. It’s a bit like in a Viennese coffee house, where it’s not always clear if the opinions are consistent. But rationality isn’t always the most important thing. An Austrian politician once told me, “You are still too German and too little Balkan.” Even when talking about certain standards we must act based on what we understand.
Do you regret accepting this position?
I once said I wouldn’t want to do it as long as Valentin — nearly 12 years. You mentioned the Dayton Agreement, which includes the function of the High Representative. It was created as an interim solution. Several photos of my predecessors hang in the High Representative’s office, and I wouldn’t want many more pictures to be hung after me. Eventually, we need to figure out how the Dayton approach, despite the good it brought, can be adapted for the future.