The dispute between Federation of Bosnia and Hercegovina and the Republic of Montenegro over the Area of Sutorina as an example of a peaceful solution to the border disute in the post-Yugoslav area

Abstract

In what follows the origins and dynamics of dispute between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro over Sutorina Corridor are discussed. In doing so,  the essence and substance of claims as well as the circumstances of the outbreak of a short but heated polemic about the ultimate affiliation of this area are outlined. The very analysis of political developments surrounding Sutorine dispute and its settlement will be based mainly on public discourse analysis through empirical lens of print media content analysis available in Montenegro and the Federation of Bosnia and  Herzegovina as well as primary sources in the form international agreements. In-depth scholarly state of the art on the issue under investigation is examined as well.  The key assumption of this study is that the post-Yugoslav nations – despite historical trauma of 1991-95 civil war that remains still vivid in their collective memory – appear determined to peacefully settle border disputes, which are of great importance both for stability in the Western Balkans in general and its EU membership perspective in particular.