A European Commission report has revealed that, in terms of progress toward the European Union (EU), Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks last among all countries in the region. This year, the assessment is not merely that there is a lack of progress, but rather that the country is moving backward. Key reforms remain on hold, while corruption, divisive rhetoric, and anti-EU narratives are on the rise within the country. There has been no reaction from the authorities; analysts believe that political leaders only pay lip service to the European path, though they also suggest that the EU itself could take a more proactive approach toward BiH.
Following the report – which concludes that BiH has lost yet another year on its path toward the EU—the political sphere has been left speechless.
TANJA TOPIĆ, political analyst:
“Essentially, nothing of significance has changed. Some of the primary self-proclaimed champions of the European path – such as the HDZ – remain in power; however, their interest in the EU is purely declarative – it is nothing more than a dead letter on paper. Meanwhile, the ‘Trojka’ [coalition], which built its governance on a reform-oriented agenda, finds itself sidelined from the process.”
The only reaction came in the form of a faint smile from Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, at the moment the report was officially presented to her. And, indeed, what more could one expect from an administration that—as the report notes – has not only failed to curb widespread corruption but has actively obstructed progress? Out of the 35 chapters covered in the report, 21 show absolutely no progress. The judiciary and the rule of law – as has been the case in previous reports – remain a particular area of concern. ZV
ONIMIRA JAKIĆ, Pan-European Union of BiH
“More than 1.6 million first-instance cases remain unresolved, over 500 civil servants have failed to disclose their asset declarations, not all positions at the Constitutional Court of BiH have been filled, and—most notably – judgments from the European Court of Human Rights remain unimplemented.”
Some members of the public believe that, alongside domestic officials, the EU itself bears responsibility for BiH’s regression. BiH did not receive candidate status or its reform agenda based on progress, but rather due to current geopolitical developments.
JASMIN HASIĆ, Professor of International Law
“From this perspective, it is hard to see how Ms. Kos will translate what she is being told here – or in Belgrade or Skopje – into a report for Brussels, given the current situation: ‘I was there,’ ‘I said this,’ ‘they refuse to act’ – what happens next?”
The EU maintains that reforms are the sole benchmark for accession, and they express a hope that the new administration will bring about change. Citizens, however, remain skeptical.
A period of negotiations, the distribution of official posts, and the definition of policy goals now lies ahead for BiH. With another year until the next European Commission report, it is unlikely that this timeframe will be sufficient for the new administration to implement meaningful change, BHRT writes.
