The Council of the European Union has decided to extend the current sanctions that apply to persons and entities who undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty, constitutional order and international personality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Council revealed that the restrictive measures will get extended until March 31, 2024, SchengenVisaInfo.comreports.
Nonetheless, the measures might get extended again after March 2024 if the situation does not improve.
By extending the restrictions, the Council has explained that the European Union will keep its ability to impose restrictive measures against all those who threaten the sovereignty and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It has been noted that restrictive measures can also be imposed against other persons and entities who seriously threaten the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina or undermine the Dayton/Paris General Framework Agreement for Peace.
The restrictive measures that currently apply to several persons and entities include a travel ban, meaning that all involved persons and entities are forbidden from entering the EU. In addition, everyone is subject to an asset freeze, and the EU nationals are prohibited from making funds available to them.
“Restrictive measures framework provides for a ban on travelling to the EU for natural persons and an asset freeze for individuals and entities. In addition, EU persons are forbidden from making funds available to those listed. For the time being, no individual or entity is subject to restrictive measures within this framework,” the statement of the Council reads.
Apart from extending the measures, the Council has reiterated its absolute commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a united, single, and sovereign country. The Council has noted that they deeply regret the prolonged political crisis within the country. They urge a full return to the State institutions and call the leaders of the country to refocus on implementing reforms that are needed to advance on the EU path.
“The Council urges all political leaders to renounce provocative and divisive rhetoric and action, including questioning the territorial integrity of the country, and put their joint efforts in fulfilling the 14 key priorities identified in the Commission’s Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for EU membership, endorsed by the Council in 2019, and in line with the interest of all citizens to advance towards the European Union,” Council wrote last year.
Approving conclusions on EUFOR Operation Althea, the Council said on February 2021 that the Operation continues to implement tasks deriving from the General Framework Agreement for Peace and the collective training with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
