Chairman of B&H Presidency Dragan Covic submitted the application or request of B&H for membership in the EU. Submission of the application is very important event for B&H, but there is no place for euphoria yet because our country is expecting continuation of difficult way to full membership in the EU.
During the submission of the application Covic emphasized that it is completely credible and that he expects B&H to obtain candidate status next year. However, EU officials have been more cautious and they welcomed the implementation of reforms, saying that EU will consider application when they get convinced that significant progress has been made.
What is the application for membership in EU?
The application for accession to the European Union represents a formal legal act on the expression of political will for accessing the most delicate phase in the process of integration of country into the Union.
There are no limitations for the submission of applications, our country could submit such a request in the past as well. Even Morocco submitted application to join the EU but it was rejected since it is not a European country. Spain also submitted an application in 1960 and was rejected because at that time this country was ruled by fascist General Francisco Franco.
However, it is essential for application to be credible, or that B&H meets the conditions in order for its application to be considered and accepted.
Two conditions that are in front of B&H at the moment are the adoption of a mechanism of coordination and adjustment of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. A coordination mechanism has been adopted, however the question is for how long it will be functional.
Negotiations on the adaptation of the SAA are not completed yet, and the new round is on the schedule tomorrow.
What after the submission of the application?
After submitting the application to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country that chairs the European Union at the moment, EU Council of Ministers at the level of foreign ministers will decide whether such a request will be accepted or not. It should be also noted that the application for membership into the EU must be approved by all 28 countries.
In case the answer is affirmative, the European Commission will respond to B&H with package of several thousand questions on which B&H will have to give extremely precise, complete and truthful answers. Based on those answers, the Commission will decide whether B&H is ready for status of candidate or not.
If the answer is positive, the Council of Ministers will give its own proposal to the European Council that is consisted of the heads of countries or governments that have the final say on the opening of accession negotiations.
(Source: N. N./Klix.ba)
