Istorijsko oblikovanje regija i mogućnosti uspostave regionalne strukture Bosne i Hercegovine u postdejtonskom periodu
Historical Construction of Regions and Opportunities for Regional Structure in Post-War Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary/Abstract: In Bosnia-Herzegovina, during its long history as separate administrativeterritorial and complete entity, there has been a regional structure developed. Natural, geographic, cultural, economic and communication factors caused establishing and strengthening regional factor through 400 years of Ottoman Empire. After Berlin Congress 1878. and arrival of Austrian-Hungarian Empire, begins the period of industrialization and urbanization of B&H. In the time of the Yugoslav Kingdom B&H became area of divisions, with two competing interests: Croatian and Serbian. After ZAVNOBIH socialistic government has established regional structure with seven counties. After 1965. B&H had division into municipalities. Challenges after pluralization of B&H society in 1990ies caused a new phenomenon in B&H – ethnization of B&H space, after the victory of national parties on elections in 1990. In the wartime 1992-1195, while European countries had principles of subsidiary and regional structure, B&H fall into ethnical divisions. Domination of ethnical criteria became the main point of all peace plans in the war time (1992-1995). Historical process of integration of B&H into the EU demands establishing regional structure appropriate to policy of regional development within the EU. But, this demands political consensus in Parliamentary Assembly of B&H and support from the International community. Research from 1970-ies and 1980-ies suggested four regions: Banjaluka-Bihać, Tuzla-Doboj, Sarajevo-Zenica and Mostar-Trebinje. These regions would be economically sustainable and appropriate for the concept of Euro regions. They would be multi ethnical and they would carry development and cooperation processes in the EU.

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