Ex-enemies join forces to do battle over economy

The presidents of Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia met yesterday and agreed their countries will have to increase co-operation in order to survive the economic crisis gripping Europe.

The meeting underscored how far the one-time Yugoslav republics have come in the two decades since the federation fell apart in a series of bloody wars. Croatia is due to join the European Union next year, while Serbia and Bosnia also aspire to become part of the bloc.

The leaders discussed several areas where co-operation would be beneficial, including fighting organised crime, sharing consular offices abroad and applying together for certain EU funds.

But the economic crisis added a sense of urgency to the talks, and prompted the realisation that this stretch of the Balkans might have to rely more on internal resources in coming years. “The essence is, how can we help each other? We are facing a job crisis,” Serbia’s president, Boris Tadic, said.

“This fact threatens the stability of our societies.”

Much of the region’s future depends on how the EU will solve its economic problems because it is “our biggest market and our jobs depend on it,” Mr Tadic added.