B&H has received the date for submission of applications for EU membership. The historic day for B&H is on the 15th of February 2016.
This is the biggest step that B&H has made so far, since the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995. When it comes to European integration, as well as all other processes related to B&H, this is the biggest event. After a number of difficult years, when B&H deteriorated, progress has finally been made, especially last year which meant a turning point.
The European Union expects B&H to, until the date of the request for membership, show visible work activity in addressing the issue of the Coordination Mechanism and adaptation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (in the part referring to the traditional trade).
“With regard to your letter of January 14, 2016, we can inform you that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Bert Koenders welcomes the request of B&H for membership on behalf of the European Union, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Check-in time was extensively discussed at the highest level between our countries and we propose that a formal application takes place on Monday, the 15th of February 2016, in Brussels, “says, among other things, in a letter, written on behalf of the Netherlands, the country presiding the European Union, signed by Pieter de Gooijer, permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Moreover, the place and time of delivery of the request for membership of B&H into the European Union has been determined in details. On behalf of B&H, Chairman of the Presidency of B&H Dragan Covic will deliver the request and it is planned and stated in the letter, that the request receives the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders on the behalf of Netherlands.
On that day, the 15th of February 2016, a ministerial meeting will also take place in Brussels, so that date and time are even more important, and an opportunity for discussions.
Despite strong resistance, both from B&H and from the part of European officials, the representatives of B&H have managed to carve out a date for the submission of applications for EU membership and thus open a new page in the history of B&H – the European one.
(Source: Fokus.ba)
