European Union foreign ministers unblocked Bosnia’s eventual path to the EU on Monday, agreeing to sign off on an economic and trade pact with the country after its leaders pledged to implement a range of political and other reforms.
Foreign ministers said Bosnia’s reform promises were sufficient for the EU to sign and implement a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the former Yugoslav republic that has been on hold since 2008.
The pre-accession pact will enable stepped-up EU support to Bosnia and gradually remove barriers to trade. EU officials said it would still be weeks before the pact enters formally into effect. Even if Bosnia’s politicians implement the reforms, it could still be years before the bloc opens formal membership talks with the country.
In a statement on Monday, EU foreign ministers said “meaningful progress” on the implementation of the promised reforms will be needed “for a membership application to be considered by the European Union.”
In the morning, before ministers met in Brussels, Ms. Mogherini welcomed what she called “the real willingness of all” parties in Bosnia to “retake the way of European integration.”
“The European Union institutions are ready to reciprocate in this,” she told reporters. Ms. Mogherini made progress in Bosnia an early priority when she took office in November and has already visited twice to spur progress.
by Laurence Norman
(Source: wsj)
