Although there are interests actively working on the division of Bosnia, the EU and the US firmly reject such policies, experts agreed at a session of the 'Krug 99' association of intellectuals on Sunday.

“America has helped by not giving up on the important project which is for Bosnia to be a state and to function as a state,” according to Bosnia’s first ambassador to the US, Viktor Jakovic.

The stance the US has is similar to the one of the EU, expert for Euroatlantic integration, Slaven Kovacevic, told N1. Both actors reject divisive politics in Bosnia, he said.

“Those are compatible politics with differing interests. It would be good if both sides would ease this path for us, as this country is trying to be equal to other EU members and I am expecting that both sides will continue to reject the politics of discrimination and fascist ideology,” expert for Euroatlantic integration, Slaven Kovacevic, told N1.

However, relations in the region have rarely been worse. According to political science professor Mirko Pejanovic, interests which mirror wartime goals are hindering Bosnia’s path toward Europe and NATO and making the country dependent on the international community.

Things are never good when neighbouring Serbia and Croatia expose Bosnia to pressure by supporting political parties that base their politics on ethnic division and disintegration, he said.

But despite all, there are reasons to be optimistic, according to wartime member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, Haris Silajdzic.

“There are many people in Bosnia who want all citizens in this country to live in coexistence and equality,” he said.

Bosnia will surely become EU member, as Europe does not have any other alternative to this, he said.

“Those people are on the right side of history, while those who put up fences, walls, divisions and hate in times of the internet, are on the wrong side of history,” he said.

“Walls and the internet cannot go together,” he added.