INTERVIEW: JAKUB SKALNIK, CZECH AMBASSADOR IN BIH
Interviewed by Ajdin BEGANOVIĆ
SARAJEVO, May 13 (ONASA) – Czech Ambassador in BiH Jakub Skalnik in an interview for the Agency ONASA talks, among other things, about relations between the two countries, the Czech Republic help to BiH on its path towards the EU, projects that the Czech Republic is planing and implementing in BiH …
ONASA: How would you assess the relations between BiH and the Czech Republic?
SKALNIK: Our bilateral relations are excellent. There are no open issues that would burden the relationship between our two countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been for years the priority country for the Czech development assistance. Just to give you an example – this year alone 25 projects will be realized with the financial support in the neighbourhood of € 3 million, provided by the Czech government.
ONASA: In which segment can these relations be improved?
SKALNIK: Once again, there are no serious problems in any area of our mutual relations. Sporadically, we are facing some problems – when dealing with our Bosnian partners in implementation of the projects – with the lack of the will to cooperate constructively when the entities are involved. Due to these complications some projects have been stalled, some even suspended or prematurely terminated.
ONASA: Can the Czech Republic help BiH on the road to the EU and in which areas?
SKALNIK: I am deeply convinced that our country has lot to offer to BiH on her way towards the EU. We have undergone the process of transformation from the totalitarian, one-party ruled country with planned economy into the pluralistic liberal democracy with the free-market economy, fully integrated into the Western world. We are ready to offer our transition know-how and experience as I believe that the Czech Republic (and other Central European countries) have a lot of credibility for BiH and other countries in the region. I believe that we can provide the necessary expertise especially in the areas of the public administration reform, the environmental policies, the renewable sources of energy, and so forth.
ONASA: BiH is currently in the phase of transition, through which the Czech Republic went through recently. Can the transitional period of these two countries be compared?
SKALNIK: The comparison can always be tempting, but also misleading. Although both our countries aspire(d) to become members of the EU, both were the countries with one-party rule, here I believe many similarities end. While we started energetically with the complex reforms in every area of the life of our society, former Yugoslavia at the same time submerged into the horrible and bloody war. We have also always had the clear and undisputable vision of the future of our country, shared by vast majority of the society, which, in my opinion, is not always the case in BiH.
ONASA: Representatives of the Committee for Agriculture of the Czech Parliament visited BiH in late April. Was some agreement on cooperation reached?
SKALNIK: The main outcome of the visit has been the confirmation of the support and assistance continuation that the Czech Republic has been giving to BiH in the area of agriculture for years. The deputies have promised their backing if the funds were needed for the further projects in this area. They have also offered sharing of our experience with the negotiating the terms for the agriculture and related business to join the common market during the accession process with the EU.
ONASA: You have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mayor of Gradačac Municipality Edis Dervišagić, for the realization of project “Reconstruction of facilities for treatment of waste water in Gradačac Municipality”. What does this project entail?
SKALNIK: The objective of this project is the modernization of the waste water treatment facility in Gradačac so that it will be able to clean the waste water in the said municipality in the compliance with the current highest standards. For this purpose more than 2 million KM were earmarked by Czech Development Agency.
Our country has vast experience in this area – not only with approving the modern environment-protecting legislation, but also with its successful implementation. We have undergone the transformation from being one of the “dirtiest” countries in Europe 25 years ago to one of the most environment-conscious EU country today.
ONASA: Embassy of the Czech Republic is supporting the implementation of project “The most desirable employment for young Roma” which will be implemented in Zenica, Tuzla, Kakanj and Bijeljina over the next seven months. What are the end goals of this project?
SKALNIK: The main goal of this project is to identify what sorts of jobs are the most preferred by the young job seekers from Roma community. Its outcomes should help the authorities to deal better and more efficiently with the issue of Roma unemployment.
ONASA: Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic are attractive travel destinations. Can there be some cooperation in this field?
SKALNIK:I believe that a cooperation could be establish between CzechTourism – our government organization whose main goal is to promote the Czech Republic as an attractive tourist destination and corresponding institutions in BiH. Our countries have a lot to offer and the exchange of information as well as mutual promotion would bring benefits for both sides. (end)