Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security, Kaja Kallas, paid an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in an exclusive interview with Radiotelevision Bosnia and Herzegovina, she spoke about the European path of our country, the political situation, the role of the international community, relations between the European Union and the United States of America, elections and media freedom.
In an interview for BHRT, Kallas said that Bosnia and Herzegovina has not lost its European perspective, but that time is passing inexorably and that the citizens are paying the biggest price for political blockades.
The European path has not been stopped, but the reforms are no longer progressing
When asked whether Bosnia and Herzegovina is today closer to membership in the European Union or whether enlargement has fallen into the background, Kallas replies that the European path remains open.
She reminded that the European Union approved the opening of accession negotiations in 2024 thanks to the progress achieved at that time in the reforms, but that in the meantime there was a serious slowdown.
“My meetings were focused on what we can do to help, because the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are really losing. 108 million euros have already been lost through the Growth Plan, and there is a risk of losing an additional 373 million euros. This is money needed for the development of the country and investments in infrastructure. That is why I insist on urgency,” Kallas pointed out.
Citizens want the European Union, the political system slows down the process
Speaking about the main obstacles to European integration, Kallas emphasized that research shows that as many as 74 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens support membership in the European Union.
“Citizens clearly want the European Union. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a complex political system and that’s exactly where there are obstacles. At all meetings, I emphasized that it is the citizens who lose if there is no political agreement,” she said.
Russian influence and disinformation remain a challenge
Commenting on external influences on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kallas assessed that Russian influence is present in all democratic processes in the European neighborhood.
“Russia does not want democratization or bringing countries closer to the European Union. That’s why we have to be aware of the numerous misinformation that exists. However, the most important thing is that citizens want to move forward, and that’s a clear message to politicians,” she said.
At the same time, she emphasized that the cooperation between the European Union and the United States of America is still crucial for the stability of the region.
“Remember the Dayton Agreement. It was a joint success of Europe and America. Even today, we work together for the prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, because a stable Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the interest of all of Europe.”
The European Union wants to gradually reduce the role of the High Representative
One of the topics of discussion was the future of the Office of the High Representative. Kallas confirmed that the Peace Implementation Council agreed on a transitional solution until July 14, but she emphasized that the European Union wants Bosnia and Herzegovina to gradually take full responsibility for its own governance.
“This is your country and you should manage it,” Kallas said.
She added that the European path is one of the rare topics that can bring together citizens and political actors around a common goal.
Young people send a clear message: We don’t want to be hostages of the past
Speaking about the political future of the country, Kallas singled out the conversation with young people from different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Their message was very clear – for the future of this country, we should not allow the past to hold us hostage.”
At the same time, she called on citizens to show their support for European integration in the upcoming elections by supporting political options that advocate European reforms.
The expansion rules remain the same for now
When asked about possible changes to the rules of the enlargement of the European Union and proposals that future members have limited rights or a different position within the Union, Kallas says that these are only initial discussions.
“Everything is still at the very beginning. Such proposals have been put forward by individual member states, but currently the existing rules are being applied. Bosnia and Herzegovina must implement reforms, fulfill the necessary conditions and appoint a chief negotiator so that the process can progress.”
She stressed that the European Union must think not only about what the candidate countries gain by membership, but also what the European Union itself gains by their accession.
Free elections and independent media are the basis of European values
A special part of the conversation referred to the state of media freedoms and the position of public broadcasters, including BHRT, which has been facing serious financial and political challenges for years.
Kallas pointed out that free and fair elections are one of the basic democratic standards of the European Union.
“It is very important that the elections are free, fair and in accordance with the rules. The European Union monitors the electoral process through its observation missions, and it is especially important to preserve the integrity of the elections with the use of new technologies.”
Speaking about public services, she said that media freedom is one of the fundamental values of the European Union.
“Public broadcasters and all media must be able to freely report on elections, because they have an important role in informing the public and preserving the democratic process,” she said.
A message to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Throughout the conversation, Kaja Kallas repeatedly reiterated that Bosnia and Herzegovina still has a European perspective, but that success will depend above all on the ability of domestic political actors to reach an agreement and implement reforms.
Her final message was that the European Union remains a partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that key decisions must be made by the state itself.
“In the end, this is your country. You need to make decisions and build your European future,” Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security Kaja Kallas told BHRT.
