The 7th meeting of the Stabilisation and Association (SA) Committee between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union took place in Brussels 19 September 2024. The meeting was co-chaired on the EU side by Ms Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans and Ms Barbara Jésus-Gimeno, Head of Unit for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for Kosovo at the Directorate General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, and for Bosnia and Herzegovina by Ms Elvira Habota, Director of the Directorate for European Integration of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The SA Committee took stock of the most important developments under the political and economiccriteria. Following the tangible results delivered by Bosnia and Herzegovina, as reported by the Commission, and the ensuing decision of the European Council in March 2024 to open accession negotiations, Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to advance resolutely to implement reforms in line with EU rules and standards and Opinion’s key priorities, and take all relevant steps set out in the 2022 recommendation, so that the Council may be in a position to adopt the negotiating framework. The Commission will report on progress and provide recommendations in the upcoming enlargement package.
The Commission reiterated the call for Bosnia and Herzegovina to finalise a national plan for the adoption of the EU acquis (NPAA) and urged Bosnia and Herzegovina to appoint an operational Chief Negotiator and negotiating structures, with a view to the explanatory meetings on the EU acquis.
Following the adoption of the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, the Commission encouraged Bosnia and Herzegovina to submit an ambitious Reform Agenda without further delays, overcoming disagreements for the benefit of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission recalled that the first payment can only happen once the Reform Agenda has been submitted to and formally agreed upon by the European Commission and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission reiterated that it will continue supporting the authorities in finalising the work as needed. The Commission also called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to engage further in the Economic Reform Process to address structural socio-economic issues.
The Commission reiterated the need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt reforms to strengthen the rule of law, including new laws on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and on the Courts of BiH, as well as to progress on the fight against organised crime and corruption, the protection of fundamental rights, and the management of migration and access to asylum, looking forward to the upcoming conclusion of the negotiations on a Frontex status agreement.
The Commission took stock of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legislative alignment with the EU acquis in the areas covered by the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). On trade, the Commission regretted the cancellation of the 7th subcommittee on Trade, Industry, Customs and Taxation (TICT) and called to ensure effective policy dialogue under the SAA. The Commission urged Bosnia and Herzegovina to accelerate the digital and green transition, connectivity measures and infrastructure investments, as well as the alignment with the acquis on electronic identify and trust services for electronic transactions, on network and information security, and on environment and climate, in line with the Digital and Green Agendas for the Western Balkans.
The implementation of the EU financial assistance was also reviewed. The Commission urgently called for a National IPA Coordinator to be appointed in line with the IPA III financial framework.
The Commission and Bosnia and Herzegovina agreed upon the agenda of the next 8th cycle of sectoral sub-committee meetings under the SAA, to be held in 2024/2025.
