In the period until 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina did a good job on the European path, but in the last two years, a worrying stagnation of reforms is visible, said the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas in an interview for Fena.
Speaking about the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina received the green light to open accession negotiations with the European Union, but that reforms are still progressing slowly due to political blockages, Kallas pointed out that the EU is ready to help BiH, but that the local authorities must deliver the reforms that are needed by the citizens, the country’s prosperity and its membership in the EU.
- BiH really did a good job in the period leading up to 2024, delivering reforms. In the last two years, we have seen the stagnation of reforms, which is why we are very worried, and that is why I am here for the third time. And other European representatives are wondering what else we can do to help you deliver these reforms – said Kallas.
She emphasized that the reforms are not only important because of the formal process of joining the European Union, but above all because of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- These are reforms that are necessary for your people, for the prosperity of your country, for the well-being of everyone here, and they are also necessary for accession to the European Union – she pointed out.
Kallas also warned that BiH is already losing significant funds from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans due to political setbacks.
- The European Union is there for you, but your politicians, your government, must also deliver results. Take for example the ratification of the Growth Plan. It is a plan intended for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 108 million euros have already been lost, and now there is a risk of losing 373 million euros – said Kallas.
She stressed that this money can be invested in improving infrastructure and improving the quality of life of citizens.
Speaking about what kind of concrete signal the European Union can give to the citizens of candidate countries in order to show that the European perspective is real, Kallas said that the process is always two-way.
- On the one hand, there are the reforms we are asking from the candidate countries. You also have elections coming up and that’s a question you can ask all the parties participating in the elections – are they delivering these reforms. On the other hand, there is our side and we try to help your country as much as we can – Kallas told Fena.
As examples of concrete benefits for citizens, she mentioned projects such as “roam like at home” (RLAH), i.e. the possibility for citizens to make phone calls in Europe under conditions similar to those at home, as well as processes related to payment transactions.
When asked whether the expansion towards the Western Balkans today is more a question of the credibility of the European Union or European security, Kallas said that the expansion is always a geopolitical process.
- If we look at geopolitical processes around the world, it is clear that we are stronger when we are together. Expansion brings peace and stability. We’ve seen that before. Countries that were once on a war footing within the European Union are now working hand in hand. It is clear that this is something that we have to push forward – explained Kallas.
She added that the European Union cannot let its partners down, including the countries of the Western Balkans, and expressed the hope that the enlargement process will progress faster.
- We hope that we will be able to move fairly quickly in the enlargement process, provided that the homework is done on both sides, both in the countries of the Western Balkans and in the European Union – she pointed out.
Commenting on the proposals of France and Germany on the new approach to enlargement, which envisages the gradual inclusion of candidate countries in certain EU policies, institutions and the single market before full membership, Kallas said that the different ideas stem from the fact that the enlargement process took too long.
- We want to see future members really working with us, because together we are much stronger. But it is also true that everyone wants access to the internal market. At the same time, we want to see that these countries deliver what we call the basics – fundamental freedoms, media freedom, freedom of assembly and the principles of the rule of law that actually bring prosperity to these countries – said Kallas.
She stressed that access to the internal market and reforms must go hand in hand.
When asked whether the European Union is ready for a new expansion institutionally, financially and politically, especially in case the Union grows to more than 30 members, Kallas pointed out that the expansion should not be seen as a game in which either everyone is in or everyone is out.
- If we take Montenegro or Albania as an example, they are very small countries and the absorption capacity of the European Union can accept it. Or if we take Bosnia and Herzegovina, you are not a big country either. I think we have to look at all these countries individually and see how we can progress – she said.
She added, however, that it is clear that the European Union with a larger number of members must have more efficient decision-making processes.
Speaking about changes in the international order, the war in Ukraine, changes in transatlantic relations and the influence of Russia and China, Kallas said that the European Union cannot afford for the Western Balkans to remain outside the Union for a long time.
- The geopolitical situation is such that, if you look at the map, Europe is actually a very small continent. We have many nations, many different cultures and languages, but we are all very small. In order to oppose all these opponents from outside, we have to work together – said Kallas.
She concluded that it is in the interest of the European Union that the countries of the Western Balkans become its members.
- It is clear that it is in our interest that the Western Balkans, that is, the countries of the Western Balkans, join the European Union – said Kallas in an interview for Fena.
