For the sake of peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the region, it is necessary to introduce a zero-tolerance policy for all those who endanger the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH, said Denis Becirovic, the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, on March 22nd.
Becirovic’s statement comes a day after the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with BiH, and he emphasized that changes are needed to strengthen the economy and attract investments, as well as to strengthen the rule of law.
“There is no room for anti-Dayton and asymmetric solutions; we need genuine and consistent implementation of European principles. The European path does not exist for some individuals to jeopardize it,” he said.
At the summit in Brussels on March 21st, the European Council approved the opening of accession negotiations between Sarajevo and Brussels, as previously recommended by the European Commission.
Although BiH has been given the green light to open accession negotiations, they cannot start until a negotiating framework is adopted.
It will be prepared when the country fulfills all 14 priorities presented by the European Commission in 2019.
The priorities are divided into four areas – democracy and functioning of institutions, rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform.
BiH has had candidate status for full European Union (EU) membership since December 2022.
In December 2023, EU leaders expressed readiness to open accession negotiations with BiH and called on the European Commission to publish a report on the degree of fulfillment of key criteria in March.
Since then, the ruling coalition in BiH has agreed to open negotiations with Frontex, the EU border agency, and adopted amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities.
The Law on Courts, which was also one of the priorities, has not yet been adopted, Slobodna Evropa reports.
E.Dz.
