After reading Reuters article published in The Guardian on Bosnia to submit EU membership next month, I was induced to voice my opinion on the subject.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was once part of Yugoslavia in Southeast Europe. Bosnia gained its independence in May of 1995 with the Dayton peace accord was signed after three years of war. Bosnia's population is about four million today with many living abroad. Today, twenty years after the war many of Bosnian's Yugoslavian counterparts have worked their way into becoming members of the European Union (EU). Having a weak economy and poor leadership is delaying Bosnian's path to the EU.
On February 15th 2016 Bosnia will apply for EU membership. This membership will allow Bosnia to trade freely with other European countries, allow work and travel within EU borders, and borrow funds from European banks at low rates for development. EU's member countries tend to have more stable economies and government. The European Union has an emphasis on human rights which is attractive to underdeveloped countries.
Bosnia is still not a fully democratic state. There are three functional governments within Bosnia each with its own president based on ethnic background who bicker for power. A group not associated with any of the three primary ethnic groups such as the Roma's or Jews do not have voting nor any other rights. Before being part of the EU, this political system would need to be radically changed to help eliminate these inequalities in Bosnia.
The European Union is strong, economically comprising of 23% of the global GDP. If Bosnia joins the EU their economy would greatly benefit with reduced tariffs. Many European companies such as BMW, Audi, and Hypo bank are already operating employing Bosnian citizens. EU membership, a dream due to the politics of Bosnia would benefit the people greatly. Bosnians like myself do not wish to leave their country but instead dream of rebuilding its economy so that it will then be no stepchild to other European countries.