From the perspective of realpolitik, delaying and slowing down Euro-Atlantic integration causes immeasurable harm to its citizens. Any policy in BiH and the region that harbors utopian ideas that someone else will make a significant impact in these areas is on the wrong course.
One of the simplest definitions of politics is that “politics is the extended arm of the economy.” According to this definition, politics should primarily serve economic interests, on which the overall social relations develop. If the economy does not function, whether locally or internationally, the existing system can collapse, which in the worst case is accompanied by chaos, violence, and wars. On the other hand, economic stability is conditioned by a functional political and security system, and vice versa: from a strong and stable economy, security is financed and a stable political environment is maintained.
The security that NATO provides to its members certainly benefits the improvement of their economies and mutual economic relations. Therefore, it is wrong to view NATO exclusively as a military-political alliance because security is only one of NATO’s components. Wherever NATO is present, preconditions are created for significant foreign investments and overall economic stability.
Regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, NATO membership is necessary for all three mentioned reasons: security, political stability, and economic prosperity. Eastern European countries that joined the European Union in the last 30 years mostly became NATO members first, then EU members. The largest foreign investors in our region, including BiH, are now members of both NATO and the European Union.
According to the Law on Foreign Direct Investment Policy in BiH, foreign investment is considered an inflow of foreign capital into an existing or newly established business entity. Investment also includes investment in a newly established or existing institution through money, goods, and rights.
Data from the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency in BiH for the period from May 1994 to December 2020 show that the total amount of foreign investments in BiH exceeded 15 billion BAM. These data are based on the latest available information from the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Top Ten Countries by Investment Volume in BiH
Photo: Source: Foreign Direct Investment Promotion Agency
When looking at a broader list of foreign investors, among the top 30 countries that are the largest foreign investors in BiH, NATO members make up more than two-thirds. While Russia is among the top ten investor countries in BiH, China as a global power is categorized as “other countries” because it has no significant investments in BiH to date.
Countries with the Largest Investments by Sector in BiH
Photo: Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2021)
Bosnia and Herzegovina, besides its geographical and cultural affiliation with Europe, is firmly connected to Europe also from the economic and security aspects. From the perspective of realpolitik, delaying and slowing Euro-Atlantic integration causes immeasurable harm to its citizens. Any policy in BiH and the region that harbors utopian ideas that someone else will make a significant impact in these areas is on the wrong course. US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill stated in May 2022 that choices must be made in life and that this is such a moment, and that Serbia has only one path—West and the European Union. This sent a clear message to anti-European policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The influence and presence of the EU and NATO in these areas will not disappear due to larger geopolitical reasons that transcend individual local interests. The sooner regional politics align with economic interests and the broader European environment, the sooner citizens’ standards will improve.
