Bosnia and Herzegovina has made important advancements in its reform agenda, which are also important for the EU accession process. These include strengthening human rights protection, improving the justice system, and promoting equality and social inclusion; and the EU and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” has been crucial in supporting these efforts. This was the conclusion at the programme’s annual Beneficiary Steering Committee meeting held in Sarajevo today.
The meeting underscored the tangible outcomes of the programme, which played a vital role in advancing positive reforms across the country. These include: the establishment of the first shelter for LGBTI persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the expansion of the Network for Democratic School Culture with the addition of new schools to foster inclusivity and critical thinking among students and teachers, efforts to raise awareness and combat Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), the installation of a new prison management system in the Ministry of Justice and two pilot prisons, as well as the adoption of a risk assessment and action plan by the Council of Ministers on money laundering and terrorist financing related to virtual assets.
Opening the meeting, Ms Bojana Urumova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, emphasised the importance of partnership and cooperation to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in fully embracing European standards in the areas of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. “This meeting is a valuable opportunity for us to come together in one place and reflect on the successes of the past year, as well as the challenges and lessons learned that we can apply to our future work,” added Urumova.
Ms Aida Hodžić, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasised the importance of the Horizontal Facility programme for advancing the rule of law, human rights, and the democratisation of society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Today’s meeting represents an important opportunity for a joint assessment of the progress achieved through our cooperation so far and for strengthening the strategic partnership we have built within the framework of this crucial programme. The Horizontal Facility not only helps us advance the rule of law but also provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and alignment with European standards,” said Hodžić, highlighting that this programme is essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s further European integration.
Mr Karel Lizerot, Head of Operations section for Justice and Home Affairs and Public Administration Reform of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscored the crucial role of the European Union and Council of Europe’s joint programme, “Horizontal Facility,” in advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress on its EU path and aligning its domestic framework with the EU acquis. “This is particularly significant given the ongoing efforts to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to officially begin accession negotiations. The European Union, together with the Council of Europe, will therefore remain a committed and strong partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina in accelerating the reform process,” concluded Lizerot.
Mr Schnutz Dürr, Head of Programming Department, Directorate of Programme Co-ordination, Council of Europe, said: “The Council of Europe, together with the European Union and in partnership with the beneficiaries, remains committed to the continuous provision of relevant assistance under the Horizontal Facility in addressing the recommendations of the Council of Europe monitoring and advisory bodies, and with the aim to advance Bosnia and Herzegovina’s reform agenda and EU accession negotiations”.
Representatives from beneficiary institutions, including the Ministry of Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Communications Regulatory Agency, emphasised during the meeting the crucial role of the Horizontal Facility in supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession by helping implement European standards and Council of Europe recommendations, particularly in areas like fighting economic crime and pursuing judicial reform under Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU acquis. They also reviewed progress made so far and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing effective co-operation in implementing the programme.
The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III) is a co-operation initiative between the European Union and the Council of Europe, running from 2023 to 2026. The programme helps beneficiaries meet their reform agendas in human rights, the rule of law, and democracy, aligning with European standards and EU enlargement priorities, EU Delegation in BiH writes.
Photo: EU in BiH
