EVROPSKI IDENTITET I BOSNA I HERCEGOVINA
EUROPEAN IDENTIY AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Summary/Abstract: In the phrase “European identity” both terms should be understood as the dynamic category. The Europe as a geographical determinant can be viewed through historical context. In cultural terms, it is an environment in which crucial civilization processes took place. In a political sense, the term Europe can be now reduced to the institutional structure of the European Union founded on the common values inherited by its citizens, peoples and states. These common values constitute the identity of the European Union. When other countries of the European continent accept these values as well and contribute to the enrichment of those values, one could then speak of the European identity. The values of the Union are established in two ways. Each member State brings in its own values, while additional elements of joint identity are established through the agreed harmonization of different interests. Democratic deficit of the Union institutions, crisis of multiculturalism, anti-immigration and anti-Islamic concepts and policies largely problematize the existence of the European identity. The Charter of the fundamental rights of the Union identifies human dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity, democracy and rule of law as key elements of the Union identity. In addition to the common values, the Union respects also specificities of national identities while pursuing balanced and lasting development. The real risks that challenge the European identity, among others, are insisting on the Christian roots; Islamophobia, nationalism and other fundamentalisms, neo Nazism and xenophobia. The compatibility of the European and BH values is reflected, in particular in the multiculturalism, tolerance and coexistence. As a member of the anti fascist coalition, a member of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, BiH is already contributing to the constitution of the European identity. BiH must eliminate many constraints that hamper its acceptance of the European values These are, in particular, the imposed Constitution that is inconsistent with democratic standards, discrimination in the exercise and protection of human rights, lack of internal consensus on key issues on the country’s future, imposing the perception of Islamic threat from BH etc.

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