Local Border Traffic: Case Study on Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia

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Adnan Mahmutovic, Ph.D. &  Assistant Professor

Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia 

 

Mark Olson, Ph.D. & Assistant Professor  

Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

Employing content analysis of articles, reports, legal and other documents, this paper focusses on key aspects of the local border traffic (LBT) regime between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia. Regime, as used in this context, refers to a system of border management. The advantages and disadvantages of LBT regimes are examined from both border security and border mobility perspectives, including their respective impacts on borderland residents who are involved in socio-cultural and economic exchanges. In the absence of any extent theories, the paper’s thesis is that LBT traffic regimes can succeed in controlling crime and illegal immigration only if a conscious effort is made to maintain a balance between border security and border mobility activities. Among the key findings of the paper is that both countries, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina, need to expand border crossing infrastructure and deepen training activities established through bilateral cooperation at the grass roots level.