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The Geographical and Geopolitical Conditions of Integrating Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina into Eropean Union

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, two new states of south-eastern Europe that mostly suffered from Great-Serbian aspirations, are confronted with important dilemmas of future development. Like Slovenia, after international recognition (1992), admission to OUN and membership of CEI (Central European Initiative, 1992) both countries find themselves in front of different circumstances of geopolitical and formal relations with various international institutions. However there are remarkable differences between these two countries. Croatia considerably more stable has entered the stage of formalizing its relations with European Union, expecting that Croatian admission will be treated individually, without connection with the problems of neighbouring countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina is still without concrete initiatives for admission into European Union. Compared with Slovenia, Croatia has shown weaker dynamic activity for integration into various European and international organisations during the first post-independence years. Like Slovenia, Croatia has been (since 1978) a member of Alpine – Adriatic Regional Community. Gaining independence Croatia was, like Slovenia, first admitted to OESC (Organisation of European Security and Cooperation) and became member of the Council of Europe (1996) after having stabilized its borders. After that, owing to a chill in the relations between Croatia and Europe, which was the result of very complex circumstances, there was a 4-5 years’ pause till the new initiatives started, having as objective approaching Europe. Croatia did not manage to join CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) but it is planned to enter it in 2003. ; Slovenia became member in 1996) but joined WTO in 2000. In order to be admitted to Partnership for Peace (NATO 2001) and join the rank of countries associated with EU in the status of wait-and-see (2001) it is especially important to fulfil fixed conditions. So Croatia joined the group of thirteen countries, which have to meet conditions for entering EU. There are still certain problems of political and economic nature to be solved. Specific integration problems are the consequence of the war in Croatia (1991-1995), inconsistent policy of some European and World forces about the realisation of democratic goals and preventing war, long-lasting communist system of government in Croatia, economic weakening, problems in developing democratic options after the European model, challenges of transition, questions with neighbouring countries (borders, ethnic minorities and the like). So, taking everything in consideration, satisfying all conditions for possible admission can hardly be expected before 2008-2010. Bosnia-Herzegovina, with regard to internal disunion and division and possibilities of satisfying conditions, joins international organisations much harder. Since 1994 B&H has been an associated guest in the Council of Europe, and there is the possibility of gaining admission in 2002. For the time being B&H does not have preconditions for the status wait-and-see to join European Union. The fact that 49% of the country is in Serbian Republic is unjust consequence of Serbian conqueror (actions from 1992 to 1995 (just the result of ineffective and belated intervention of international forces 1994 (UN Peace-keeping forces, UN Protection Forces), NATO action (1994-1995). Namely Serbs held even to 65% of the territory though they make about 35% of B&H population. Only after Dayton’ s agreement (Ohio, USA, 1995) it was possible for IFOR (Implementary Forces) to come in 1995 and SFOR (Stabilisation Forces) in 1996, which are constituent part of NATO. In spite of international arbitration and control in B&H there are in no way possibilities for the return of refugees especially of Croats and Bosniacs on the territory of Serbian autonomy. This, naturally, makes more difficult the initiatives for creating opportunity for B&H to be accepted in EU in the foreseeable future.

Croatia; Bosnia-Herzegovina; European Union; Schengen

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