The European Council will open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina when the necessary level of compliance with membership criteria is achieved, according to the conclusions from today’s meeting of that body in Brussels.
The European Commission was invited to inform the Council about the progress no later than March 2024, with the aim of making a decision, the conclusions emphasize.
The European Council confirmed its full and unequivocal commitment to the perspective of the membership of the Western Balkans in the EU and called for the acceleration of that process.
The adopted text states that the European Council takes note of the Commission’s communique on the new growth plan for the Western Balkans, the aim of which is to “accelerate the socio-economic convergence between the Western Balkans and the EU, based on strict conditions and encourage the region to accelerate the pace of reforms regarding with the EU and improve regional economic integration through a common regional market, based on EU rules and standards”.
The European Council notes that it remains committed to promoting gradual integration between the EU and the region during the enlargement process in a reversible, merit-based manner.
“As the Union expands, successful European integration requires that the Union’s policies are fit for the future and financed in a sustainable manner, in line with the values on which the Union is based, and that the EU institutions continue to function effectively,” the conclusions underline.
