European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos began her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, and met in Sarajevo with the Chair of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Borjana Krišto, emphasizing the importance of accelerating reforms and returning Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European path.
Commissioner Kos recalled that a historic step on BiH’s European path was taken a year and a half ago, when the European Council decided to open accession negotiations. That decision, Kos emphasized, is the result of the hard work of all institutions in the country, especially the Council of Ministers and Chair Krišto.
“Since then, we have witnessed positive steps, including the adoption of two EU-relevant laws in January and the signing of the status agreement with Frontex in June. However, we have also witnessed challenges in the form of unconstitutional and secessionist laws and initiatives in the entity of Republika Srpska. The EU’s response has been firm and unequivocal,” Kos stressed.
The Commissioner called on domestic institutions, including the Constitutional Court and the Central Election Commission, to respect the law, but also on the Council of Ministers to continue implementing reforms.
She stressed that the country must not waste time until the elections on 26 October 2026 and that pro-European political actors should join forces to meet the conditions for holding the first intergovernmental conference on EU accession.
“This includes the adoption of reforms to strengthen the judiciary, a new law on courts and a new law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, fully aligned with European standards, as well as the appointment of a chief negotiator to lead the compliance review process. Bosnia and Herzegovina has already lost a year and a half,” Kos warned.
She stressed that the urgent submission of the reform plan to the Commission is crucial so that the country can take advantage of the opportunities of the Western Balkans Growth Plan, from which other countries in the region are already benefiting.
“BiH citizens can directly benefit through free financial transactions with the EU, lower call prices to the EU and other benefits. Progress on the European path is the best guarantee of stability and prosperity for everyone in the country,” said Kos.
Kos announced that during her three-day mission to BiH she will also meet with representatives of civil society, visit cities outside Sarajevo, talk to citizens and strong women, and visit Visoko and Visovac. – Politics is too important to be left to politicians alone. Citizens also need to understand what the European path means. That is why I came to your beautiful country – concluded the Commissioner.
Krišto: Reform Agenda Key for Citizens and BiH’s European Perspective
After a meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, assessed today that the adoption of the Reform Agenda is key to the implementation of the Growth Plan and the acceleration of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path.
Speaking in Sarajevo during the first official visit of EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, Krišto emphasized that the contacts and discussions with the EU so far have already yielded positive results.
“Since the appointment of Commissioner Marta Kos, we have had numerous meetings, pressures and constant communication in order to make strides on issues related to the European path and necessary reforms for Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said the Chairwoman.
Krišto recalled that they had constructive discussions with Commissioner Kos on many topics, including the work of the institutions of the Council of Ministers of BiH and the responsibilities related to the review of reforms. She particularly emphasized the importance of implementing the Growth Plan and adopting the Reform Agenda.
“First of all, the public is interested in the issue of the reform agenda and our responsibility in its implementation. After the session of the Council of Ministers, when the first round of voting for the draft reform agenda failed, today I again expressed optimism, which I consider well-founded. We are confident that in the second round of voting we will soon adopt the reform measures and inform the European Commission,” said Krišto.
The Chairperson explained that the economic agenda does not only imply securing certain funds, but also includes a broader package of reforms crucial for all citizens and entities in BiH.
“Reforms related to the economy bring direct benefits to citizens, from reducing roaming costs to simpler and more favorable financial transactions, but also include infrastructure projects and other measures important for the implementation of the reform agenda,” she emphasized.
Kristo reminded that, after the adoption of the reform agenda, implementation will follow within the constitutional structures of BiH, including the competencies of relevant bodies and institutions. – This is not a job that ends with just a report. Continuous and responsible action is needed by all holders of government institutions so that the reforms are implemented in a quality manner and in accordance with legal competencies – she emphasized.
The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers also emphasized the challenges facing BiH, but also the broader context in which the EU and the entire world operate.
“We are aware of the problems and obstacles, both within the country and more broadly in the international community. It is necessary for all stakeholders to approach the tasks responsibly and to collect and implement reforms that are of key importance for citizens and the state,” she said.
Kristo reminded that the reform agenda, through the Growth Plan, offers citizens concrete benefits, including access to the SEPA system for free financial transactions, lower call prices to the EU and other benefits. – Our responsibility is to improve living standards and retain young people in the country through reform measures, and to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the European path – concluded the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto.
Commissioner Kos had a meeting at the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a meeting with the President of the Central Election Commission of BiH Irena Hadžiabdić has been announced.
The Commissioner will also attend the signing ceremony at the City Hall in Sarajevo for the construction of the new Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art, funded through the EU4Culture programme.
On Tuesday, 23 September, Commissioner Kos will open the “Critical Voices Under Pressure” conference at the Europe House in Sarajevo, and participate in an event with young people and athletes from BiH, including Amel Tuka, organised by the Olympic Committee of BiH as part of the 10th European Week of Sport in Visoko.
In Visoko, Commissioner Kos will also meet with Mayor Mirzo Ganić, as well as city councillors. He will also visit the municipality of Vareš, which is part of the project “Strengthening trust and cohesion in communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina – We can do better”, which is financed by the EU and is implemented in cooperation with the United Nations in BiH, the OSCE Mission in BiH and the Office of the Council of Europe in BiH.
