After the European Commission formally recommended opening negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), optimists are joyful, while pessimists seek an opening date. Potentially, there are several important steps to be taken before the actual date arrives. There is plenty of insincerity within the European Union (EU), but the chances of finally moving towards them are very good.
After applying for membership, the European Commission’s recommendation for opening negotiations is the second most important event on the BiH European path. If the heads of state and government of the EU accept the recommendations of the European Commission, the third important step will be the creation of a negotiation framework.
“BiH is ready, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaged in this regard through its Diplomatic Mission in Brussels, there is also the Directorate for EU Integration, and in the first place, there is the Office of the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Mrs. Kristo. I am personally fulfilled and satisfied with all of this because it is an irreversible process, there is no going back, and how long it will take depends primarily on us,” said Josip Brkic, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH.
Before the negotiation framework comes the process of checking the BiH legislative. How aligned it is with the European one. This process can take up to six months but in centralized countries. And for one of the most complicated systems in the world, the BiH one, it could take even longer.
“Now, BiH authorities and institutions need not stop; it is necessary to continue working to provide more arguments to EU member states where the final political decision rests. I believe that the adoption of the Law on Courts, as the last in the set of currently most important tasks, would have significant importance for the positive decision of EU member states on opening negotiations with the EU,” said Elvira Habota, Director of the Directorate for European Integration.
The actual date for opening negotiations, requested by Milorad Dodik, is unlikely to be known by the end of March. A so-called intergovernmental conference should be held first. A joint session of the European Commission and the Council of Ministers of BiH.
Hungary takes over the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU from July 1st. During his visit to BiH, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, stated that Hungary would advocate for the first intergovernmental conference to be held then. Therefore, at the latest by the end of this year.
Peter Szijjarto openly stated that there are countries publicly advocating for enlargement but speak differently in closed circles. This is precisely why there is skepticism about whether all 27 member states will vote in favor.
“There are some countries that perceive the issue of conditionality and meeting the criteria, as well as the credibility of the process, slightly differently. It is still uncertain which views will prevail, and it is very important that all member states agree,” said Nedzma Dzananovic Mirascija, a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences.
Nevertheless, optimism is not lacking, and many believe that we are one step closer to a historic moment.
