The head of the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johan Sattler, expressed his belief that it is realistic to expect that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina will fulfill the necessary conditions by March next year so that the European Commission can report to the Council of the EU on the progress on the European path.
Sattler said that the authorities at the BiH level, including the Council of Ministers, intensified their work on reform issues last year.
“Nevertheless, the dynamics of reforms are not yet at an adequate level, which we clearly emphasized in this year’s report for BiH. The latest Expansion Package is an encouragement to the authorities of BiH for further progress in relation to unresolved reform issues,” said Sattler.
He pointed out that the progress on the European road will also stimulate the much needed economic growth and investments.
Speaking about the 14 key priorities that were put before Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2019, of which only two have been fully fulfilled to date, Satler explained what the authorities must do specifically, that is, what reforms must be completed in order for the negotiations to begin.
“In discussions with the authorities, we were clear about our expectations regarding the reform process. Consistent work and progress are needed to fulfill the 14 key priorities from the European Commission’s Opinion on BiH,” Sattler told “Dnevni avaz”.
The head of the EU Delegation in BiH noted that a number of necessary reforms are being prepared and that their finalization would send a strong signal of the country’s readiness to advance in the EU accession process.
“To mention just a few: the adoption of the Law on Courts, the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest, amendments to the Election Law in the part concerning integrity, and the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering are within reach,” he said.
According to him, the realization of the agreement with Eurojust and Frontex, as well as the adoption of the harmonization program with the EU acquis, is essential.
