In Bosnia and Herzegovina, all too often, you hear the words, “I do not care about politics”. And indeed there is much to dislike and reject about the current state of politics in this country. But the way to make a difference is through voting, not by turning your back!

Op-ed was published in Oslobođenje, Nezavisne novine and Dnevni list A quick conversation with people in Bosnia and Herzegovina will confirm what opinion polls have stated for many years – citizens are broadly pessimistic when it comes to the future of the country. Yet engaging in deeper conversations with men and women across BiH provides grounds for optimism. Whilst the legacy of the war remains unresolved in many areas, a clear desire is evident to leave the politics of hatred behind and to focus on a better future.

Fifty victims of the genocide against Bosniaks in Srebrenica were buried with dignity yesterday in the presence of their grieving families. The sight of their caskets, surrounded by their loved ones, is a heart wrenching one, especially when realising this is only a small fraction of the over 8,000 men and boys who were massacred during Europe’s single worst atrocity since the Second World War.

Joint Op-Ed on the Climate Action in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador Johann Sattler and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in BiH Steliana Nedera

Diplomats are used to operating within a framework of nuance and careful language. Often we get criticised for it, but it remains necessary for our work. This also requires us not to have any political preferences and try to understand and respect all perspectives. There are few places where this is more important than in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

When, on 9 May 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman announced the ambition of integrating European economies so closely that war was “not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible”, little could he have imagined at a time when dictatorships outnumbered democracies in Europe, that one day the European Union would comprise 27 member states.

Last week, people in Herzegovina were shaken by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. It abruptly ended the life of Elmira Sefo and caused many others to be wounded. It was a painful reminder that natural disasters come unannounced and care not for politics, borders or identity.

Some reforms are understandably sensitive and politically difficult, others should not be. Energy transformation is exactly that: common sense and long over-due. All over Europe and the rest of the world, the push to use clean, sustainable and renewable energy is accelerating. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has only deepened our determination. Rising energy prices are being felt across Europe and in BiH. At the same time, the price of renewable energy has become cheaper than that of energy generated through burning of coal, oil or gas.

Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina marks the 30th anniversary of its independence. Anniversaries are not only a time to celebrate but also a time for reflection. Bosnia and Herzegovina is still a young country but as we look back, it has come a long way. The EU is here to help BiH progress further on its path towards the European Union.