BiH WEEKEND ROUNDUP: US Ambassador Cormack - BiH Needs to do More; Bloomberg - Bosnia is NATO Turf War; Chinese Ambassador Departs Bosnia; BiH Troops Head to Afghanistan; Record Year at Banja Luka Airport

“While Bosnia and Herzegovina has made some progress throughout the past few years, ‘significant reforms’ are still needed to improve the lives of the citizens, outgoing US Ambassador to Bosnia, Maureen Cormack told N1 on Thursday.

‘I’ve been very clear during my time here that I think that all too often politicians are allowed to distract citizens, the media, all of us, from the real issues with these side-issues such as these symbols, these rhetorical issues that they do so well,’ she said, referring to an ongoing disagreement between Bosnia’s three Presidency members on what flags should be displayed in common areas of the institution.

The priorities in the country, however, need to be focused on, she said.

‘Very clearly what is needed now is for governments at all levels to come together and get back to work making the reforms that are going to move BiH forward,’ Cormack said.” (N1)

“NATO edged out Russia in the struggle for influence in Europe’s former communist east once this year. Now it’s heading for another showdown at the site of the continent’s worst violence since World War II. After accepting the Adriatic state Montenegro as a member, the military alliance now has its eyes on Bosnia-Herzegovina, the country where it launched its first combat operation in 1995. While NATO’s intervention helped stop the fighting between Muslims, Serbs and Croats — at least 100,000 died here during the bloody breakup of former Yugoslavia — ethnic tensions have remained at risk of boiling over.” (Bloomberg)

“Sarajevo Mayor Abdulah Skaka met with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Chen Bo for a farewell visit, thanking her for the exceptional efforts she had invested in promoting Sarajevo during her mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” (Sarajevo Times)

“A 53-member contingent of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces (OSBiH) left here on Friday for a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, said a statement released by OSBiH.

A total of 49 male and four female soldiers belonging to the 5th Infantry Unit of OSBiH departed from the Dubrave Barracks near the city of Tuzla located 120 kilometers northeast of the capital Sarajevo.” (Xinhua)

“Banja Luka Airport welcomed 7,000 new passengers in November, and the main reason for the increase in the number of passengers is the new line of Ryanair Company.

In November, 8,272 passengers passed through the Banja Luka Airport, recording an increase of 729 percent compared to the same period last year.” (Sarajevo Times)

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