The 7th Subcommittee meeting on Transport, Energy, Environment and Regional Development between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina took place on 21 March 2024. Representatives from the European Commission (Commission) and from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) authorities discussed the latest developments in these areas. The meeting was co-chaired on the EU-side by Ms. Barbara Jésus-Gimeno (Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission) and by Mr. Mirza Hujić (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH).
The Commission welcomed progress achieved by BiH in some areas and encouraged the country to continue with the necessary reforms in line with EU recommendations. In all sectors, the Commission urged BiH to develop a countrywide harmonised approach. The Commission also encouraged BiH to strengthen its administrative capacities and monitoring systems in all sectors and clearly improve inter-institutional coordination among relevant authorities.
In the area of environment, BiH should continue to prioritise the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans adopted in Sofia in November 2021 and strengthen efforts to move towards a countrywide circular, climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy. The Commission also reminded BiH to urgently start implementing the BiH Environmental Approximation Strategy and proceed with the development of a BiH Environmental Protection Strategy. Full implementation and enforcement of horizontal legislation (environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments) is needed, but also harmonised alignment with water and waste management acquis, combatting and monitoring air pollution as well as fostering biodiversity, are of particular importance. As a participating state of the Union Civil ProtectionMechanism (UCPM), BiH should continue to actively participate in the activities under the Mechanism and continue committing efforts for the introduction of the European Single Emergency Number 112.
On climate, the Commission urged BiH to adopt a Climate Law at country level, and adopt and implement legislation on Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Accreditation in line with the obligations under Energy Community. BiH needs to adopt its integrated national energy and climate plan, urgently implement the adopted Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and start drafting a new NDC to ensure its commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. The country needs to focus on phasing out coal to proceed with decarbonisation and green transition. It is also extremely important that BiH increases its administrative capacity in the field of climate action.
On regional development, the Commission underlined again the need to develop the countrywide Regional Development Strategy and fight growing imbalances between administrative levels. The Commission also reminded BiH to urgently appoint NIPAC to address the obligations of the Financial Framework Partnership Agreement ratified by BiH on 20 September 2022.
As regards energy, the Commission acknowledged some steps taken but reiterated that BiH needs to continue moving forward with reforms, in particular in relation to the alignment and implementation of the EU’s Third Energy Package in gas, Electricity Integration Package in electricity and the Clean Energy Package. The Commission called upon BiH, as holding the Presidency of the Energy Community to proceed with the adoption of its integrated National Energy and Climate Plan in June 2024, and rectify all identified violations of the EU and Energy Community Treaty acquis. The Commission also called on BiH to adopt and implement a comprehensive building renovation strategy to improve energy efficiency and demand reduction measures.
On transport, the Commission encouraged BiH to engage more in the context of the Transport Community Treaty and its Annex I, and to deliver on the obligations contained therein. The Commission reminded BiH to intensify its efforts to implement the agreed connectivity reform measures in the areas of transport and energy and to adopt an Intelligent Transport System strategy. The Commission acknowledged some progress on road transport but reminded BiH of the need to establish a lead Road Safety Agency and fully implement the actions set out in the Road Safety regional action plan. On rail transport, the Commission encouraged BiH to progress with the reform and modernisation of the railway sector through the alignment of the EU rail acquis, including the 4th Railway Package. On air transport, the Commission reiterated its request that BiH needs to address the persistent problem of understaffing in the civil aviation regulator, and in particular in the air navigation services provider, to avoid the risk of safety oversight problems.
