Charles Michel replied to Borut Pahor: The EU has sent a clear Signal to BiH

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, responded to the letter sent to him exactly one month ago by Slovenian President Borut Pahor regarding the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Michel stated that the European Union (EU) sent a clear signal that BiH‘s path to the EU is open on the condition that the country implements reforms and that this period represents an opportunity for the country to show progress and move to the next phase of the integration process.

Message from the European Council

”The meeting of the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans on June 23rd in Brussels was an important opportunity to re-energise the process. I share your concern about the situation in BiH and that is why I have personally engaged to help the country’s leaders renew the dialogue and refocus on the implementation of reforms necessary for progress on the road to the EU,” wrote Michel.

In the letter, Michel stated that the European Council on June 23rd in Brussels pointed out that it is ready to grant candidate status to our country.

He also called on all political leaders to fulfill their obligation to act on the implementation of the obligations established by the agreement reached by representatives of political parties on June 12th, 2022 in Brussels, in accordance with the Commission’s Opinion.

An opportunity for BiH

”This is a clear sign that BiH‘s path to the EU is open – provided that the country implements reforms. The Council tasked the European Commission to report on the implementation of 14 key priorities from the Opinion so that the Council could decide on this issue again.

This is an opportunity for BiH to show progress and move to the next stage of the integration process – we must encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.

Be assured that the EU, and I personally, intend to continue our engagement to support BiH and all our partners from the Western Balkans in the necessary steps to move forward on their path to the EU,” noted Michel in a letter addressed to Borut Pahor.

E.Dz.