The European Union's double standards towards Serbia are causing frustration and distrust of the bloc in Bosnia, Bosnian media today.
The EU, appealing to Serbs to vote for pro-Western candidate Boris Tadic in Sunday's presidential election, invited Serbia this week to sign an interim political pact covering free trade, visa liberalisation and educational exchanges.
The move aims to help Mr Tadic defeat pro-Russian hardliner Tomislav Nikolic, and stave off a nationalist backlash ahead of a declaration of independence by Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province.
An editorial in Dnevni Avaz, one of Bosnia's biggest-selling dailies, said Serbia's pro-European politicians had long used the bogeyman of Serbia's radicals to win Western concessions at a time when they were doing little themselves to earn them.
"What is the difference between the stance of . . . Nikolic and democrat Tadic that makes the European Union generously reward Serbia?," the daily asked.
"Fearing Nikolic, Europe has promised Serbia generous financial assistance and a visa-free regime. Radicalism proved to be Serbia's best investment, bringing it enormous political and financial benefits," it said.
Diplomats have described the EU offer to Serbia as "three-quarters SAA", a reference to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement that is the first stage on the road to full EU membership.
As a result Bosnia, like Serbia close to signing an SAA pact, complains it is being asked to implement tough reforms while Belgrade is being offered carrots rather than sticks - despite its failure to hand over indicted warcrimes suspects.