The European Commission has published a new Progress Report on the reforms of the countries in the region, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) received the worst review, Radio Free Europe (RFE) writes.
The new report, which refers to the Western Balkans (Albania, BiH, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia), as well as Turkey, was presented yesterday in Brussels by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.
RFE reported that they had an insight into the document, which, as they said, shows a gray picture of the situation, especially in key fields, such as the rule of law.
There is no progress in the fight against corruption
In the Report for BiH, the European Commission explained that there is no progress in the fight against corruption and organized crime, in the reform of the electoral process, freedom of expression, or external relations. There has also been a setback in the area of public procurement.
“The negative effects of widespread corruption and signs of political captivity continued to manifest strongly during the pandemic, directly affecting the well-being of citizens,” it was assessed in this report.
Migration and asylum
According to RFE, it is acknowledged that BiH has stepped up efforts to improve migration management, but assesses that the country needs to ensure effective coordination at all levels of border management and migration management capacity, as well as the functioning of the asylum system.
“It requires a fair distribution of responsibilities between all entities and cantons, including the location of reception centers,” the European Commission’s report on BiH said.
There is no progress in respecting fundamental rights
When it comes to fundamental rights, although the legislative and institutional framework is largely in place, BiH, as stated in the Report, has yet to adopt a comprehensive strategic framework.
“No progress has been made in guaranteeing freedom of expression and the media, in protecting journalists from threats and violence by ensuring appropriate judicial measures, or in ensuring the financial sustainability of the public broadcasting system,” it was mentioned in the document.
In the end, the European Commission noted that the country continued to actively participate in regional cooperation and maintain good neighborly relations, RFE reported.
E.Dz.
Source: BHRT
