The Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade (IFAT) and the Otto von Habsburg Foundation held a conference entitled, “Quo vadis, Bosnia and Herzegovina? Religion, identity, and statehood in turbulent times” on 23 May 2022. The event focused on the religions that shape the identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the current challenges facing the state.
In his opening remarks, Gergely Prőhle, Director of the Otto von Habsburg Foundation, highlighted the importance of relations between Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the role of Islam in Europe.
The conference continued with a presentation by Dževada Šuško, Head of International Cooperation of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Professor of International Relations at International University of Sarajevo. In her speech, Professor Šuško presented a brief history of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the long periods of peaceful coexistence of the country’s multi-ethnic society. She pointed out that the Ottoman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy and Yugoslavia were all “empires” that became dominant shapers of BiH’s identity by creating the kind of religious and ethnic diversity that still characterises the country today. The professor also highlighted the presence of the Islamic religion and culture in BiH in its historical context, demonstrating that Islam is an integral part of European culture and this European heritage gives Bosniaks their European identity.
Professor Šuško also assessed the challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina. She described the conflicts arising from the internal tensions in the state, such as the activities of Milorad Dodik, the Serbian member of the Presidency, radicalism, the reform of the electoral law, and the threat of influence of external actors (Russia, China, Serbia) on the country. She stressed that the Euro-Atlantic integration and the implementation of constitutional reforms are key for BiH to overcome the challenges it currently faces.
The presentation was followed by a roundtable discussion with László Márkusz, Senior Research Fellow at IFAT and former Ambassador of Hungary to Kosovo; János Hóvári, Head of Representation at the Organization of Turkic States and former Deputy State Secretary; Tibor Várady, Professor of Law and former Minister of Justice of Yugoslavia; and József Makai, journalist and former editor-in-chief of 168 Óra.
During the roundtable discussion, László Márkusz presented the main challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Research Fellow criticised the creation of three entities for the three constituent nationalities, pointing out that this rigid classification undermines the rights of other minorities (Roma, Jews) and those born of mixed marriages in a multi-ethnic society. He also stressed that the issue of political legitimacy and regional (Serb-Croat-Bosnian) relations were also problems that must be resolved.
János Hóvári explained the historical nature of the relationship between Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He described the role played by Governors Benjamin Kállay and István Burián in the formation of the Bosnian identity and the modernisation of the country. Mr. Hóvári pointed out that in establishing the Dayton structure, the creators looked to the example of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy as a model for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tibor Várady stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina has always been a multi-ethnic society, with multiple religions and multiple nationalities. He stressed the cohesive power of a common language, the importance of a common identity and the strength of people-to-people contacts. Mr. Várady noted that the Dayton Accords offered only a short-term solution, whose structure causes long-term tensions in society, which is why a revision is needed.
According to József Makai, although the Dayton Accords ended the armed conflicts, it did not resolve the tensions between the three constituent nationalities. Mr. Makai stressed that, despite optimistic expectations, Euro-Atlantic integration will not solve Bosnia and Herzegovina’s problems, but at best, it will only maintain the status quo and at worst, would deepen tensions.
Professor Dževada Šuško noted at the end of the roundtable discussion that although people might draw parallels between the situation in Republika Srpska and Kosovo, this comparison is not valid. She said that while Kosovo had declared its independence while retaining its historical borders and with a population that had no political rights, Republika Srpska had always been part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its inhabitants did posses political rights.
In his closing remarks, Tamás Péter Baranyi, Deputy Director for Strategy at the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, highlighted the importance of the Western Balkans for Hungarian foreign policy and expressed its commitment to the European integration of the region.
Photos by: Márton Ballagó (University of Public Service)