EU Commissioner Urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to Accelerate Reforms for EU Path

European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, has called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to expedite its reform efforts to meet the eight conditions set by the European Council in March. This appeal was made during the third High-Level Political Forum held in Sarajevo, co-chaired by Várhelyi and Borjana Krišto, the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The forum brought together high-ranking officials, including the Deputy Chairs of the Council of Ministers, members of the Joint Collegium, and the Prime Ministers of the Federation and Republika Srpska entities. The focus was on discussing the implementation of the European Council's conditions and reporting on progress.

Why this matters: Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards EU membership has significant implications for regional stability and economic growth. Failure to meet the European Council's conditions could delay the country's accession and hinder its economic development.

In October 2022, the European Commission recommended candidate status for Bosnia and Herzegovina, reaffirming its commitment to support the country's efforts to join the European Union. However, the European Council's decision to open EU accession negotiations is contingent upon Bosnia and Herzegovina meeting the eight conditions set in March.

Key among these conditions are the adoption of several critical laws, including the Law on Courts, the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), the Law on Protection of Personal Data, and the Law on Border Control. These laws are crucial for approving the framework for negotiations, which is the first step towards actual membership discussions.

The European Union has pledged financial support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including a first tranche of funds from the EU Plan for the Western Balkans, amounting to approximately €138 million. This financial aid is conditional on the adoption of the budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions.

During the forum, Várhelyi stressed the urgency of accelerating reforms and urged all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to put aside daily political disagreements to achieve progress. He stated, "Now is the time when the whole country should fulfill its obligations and stand up for the European path because our doors are open."

The meeting was attended by various high-ranking officials, including the deputy chairpersons of the BiH Council of Ministers, members of the Collegium, chairmen of the clubs of representatives and delegates in both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, the prime ministers of entities and ten cantons in the Federation of BiH, and the mayor of Brčko District of BiH.

Despite some progress, analysts remain skeptical about the immediate outcomes of Várhelyi's visit, citing ongoing political disagreements and the prioritization of populist topics over necessary reforms. The European Commission expects new and visible results by the publication of its annual report in the fall.

To recap, Bosnia and Herzegovina is at a critical juncture in its path towards EU membership. The country must accelerate its reform efforts to meet the European Council's conditions, with significant financial support from the EU contingent on these reforms. The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether Bosnia and Herzegovina can fulfill its obligations and advance on its European path.

Key Takeaways

• EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to expedite reforms to meet EU membership conditions.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina must adopt critical laws, including those on courts, judiciary, and border control.
• EU has pledged €138 million in financial support, conditional on adoption of Bosnia's institutional budget.
• Reforms are crucial for opening EU accession negotiations and achieving economic growth.
• European Commission expects visible results by fall, with significant implications for regional stability.