Op-ed by the Head of the EU Delegation/EU Special Representative in BiH Luigi Soreca
After a year and a half of discussions, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina succeeded in sending a finalised Reform Agenda to the European Commission. This opens the door to receiving significant investment under the Growth Plan. This is not however the end of the process. It is merely the beginning.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH last week, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos underlined that the EU was offering €1 billion to invest in this country’s roads, cheaper energy, and better and faster internet. She was clear that she wanted the full amount to be spent for the benefit of BiH’s citizens. Equally however, she was firm in stating that the amount BiH was allocated under the Growth Plan would be reduced by around €100 million if the Reform Agenda was not delivered by 30 September, having already been cut by a similar amount in July.
The document sent to Brussels only hours before the deadline elapsed is now being assessed by the European Commission. Once it is agreed on, Bosnia and Herzegovina can unlock up to €976.6 million in EU financial support to drive investments, create jobs and boost growth.
The Reform Agenda that was sent to the European Commission is comprehensive document that demonstrates the capabilities and competence of BiH civil servants. It also indicates that political actors can reach win-win solutions when there is the will to do so. BiH needs more of this constructive approach, and less of the regular name-calling and emotive posturing that is so damaging to the country’s interests.
We have regularly repeated that the Reform Agenda is a transformative plan for BiH. It is genuinely an incredible opportunity. The biggest reward is in fact not the money the EU is providing, but the reforms themselves, which will improve the business climate and allow BiH to more fully use the huge talent and potential that exists in this country.
Across Europe, we see how people from BiH succeed when given the right opportunities. We need to create the conditions for people to flourish at home as well.
Take, for example, the establishment of an e-governance framework in BiH, which is one of the objectives listed in the Reform Agenda. One of the biggest complaints I hear from citizens as well as businesses is the about the amount of time wasted on administrative procedures. E-governance will certainly improve the conditions for investment as well as the quality of life for citizens.
How about the objective of increasing the number of children enrolled in early childhood education, and securing greater access to the internet in schools? With the pace of technological development expanding rapidly, any country’s economic future success depends on the skills and education of its citizens, starting from early childhood.
Another reform in the Reform Agenda will lead to the roll out of the 5G network, as well as more secure broadband, a huge potential boost for the country.
Yet other reforms listed will lead to financial support upon delivery of results in the fight against corruption, the fight against organised crime and the effectiveness and independence of the judiciary. In total, there are over 100 reforms, each of which will bring clear improvements for life in BiH.
Following the delivery of reforms by the BiH authorities, financial support will also be made available for investment through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). The EU will no longer finance major infrastructure projects in BiH outside of the Growth Plan. If BiH had not submitted a Reform Agenda, this would have been a major obstacle in financing infrastructure projects in BiH. The BiH authorities have not yet submitted the list of projects they would like to receive financing for under the Growth Plan, but possible investments include support towards completing the Corridor 5c motorway, or renewable energy projects.
Overall, it should not be forgotten that BiH is in the heart of Europe, and we are stronger when we work together. Almost three quarters of BiH exports go to the EU. Less than 1% go to Russia. It is clear that when it comes to any indicator, whether it is democracy, the fight against corruption, the rule of law, human rights, education, healthcare, infrastructure or any other issue that citizens really care about, a stronger relationship with the EU leading to EU membership is by a long way the best way to improve quality of life for citizens.
Now the first steps have been made, let’s work together to reach the finish line.
