At today’s session, the European Council adopted a historic decision on the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus our country entered a new phase of European integration, however, they are discussing the conclusions before announcing that officially.
After many hours of discussion and numerous disagreements among the member states, as well as doubts days before the session, the European Council adopted a decision that actually approves the recommendation of the European Commission on the start of negotiations.
The discussion continues regarding the most important one – the conclusions on how to negotiate, but our party announced on their social networks that we definitely got the green light.
Information about this decision of the leaders of the European Union member states was confirmed by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
“Following the Commission’s recommendation of March 12, 2024, the European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Council calls for the adoption of the negotiation framework after all the relevant steps specified in the Commission’s recommendation of October 12, 2022 have been taken.” , says the newly published draft conclusions.
These are 14 priorities, which were originally a condition for opening negotiations, and of which BiH adopted only a couple of reform laws and signed an agreement with Frontex.
Last night, the Dutch parliament gave the green light for the opening of negotiations, but it was also emphasized that in order to obtain a date for the negotiations, all the previously mentioned conditions must be met.
The leaders of Austria, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg and Ireland supported the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, reports Anadolu news agency.
On the eve of the summit in Brussels, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed satisfaction that the European Union is progressing in the enlargement process, and that the next steps can be offered to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It is a good message that we are moving forward in the enlargement process. In any case, I am very much in favor of the fact that, after the many efforts that have been made in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we should now take the next steps for this country, as we have already made it possible for many others,” said Scholz.
The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, said that he supports the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and that it is very important.
“The decision to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina is very important. Europe is a continent of peace and stability and we must be sure not to lose people in the Western Balkans. I support the European Commission’s decision to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Frieden.
He emphasized that Brussels must not only focus on Ukraine, but that they must look at what is happening in the Western Balkans.
“These people have been waiting for years to join. The negotiations give them hope. It is an element that encourages reforms in all countries. In the medium term, all the countries of the Western Balkans belong to the European Union,” said the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and added that it will be a long process, but those people “must not be left alone and focus only on Ukraine”.
Leo Vardakar, the Prime Minister of Ireland, said that he believes that Bosnia and Herzegovina should be part of the EU and that he hopes that this country will successfully take the next step. He believes that accession will be difficult for Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the domestic authorities.
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, said that his country’s position is clear and that it supports the enlargement policy.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina needs that support, solidarity and empathy in order to be able to advance in the reforms that allow it to enter the European Union together with others – Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova as well as all the countries of the Western Balkans,” said Sanchez, stating that it is for Important for Spain from a geopolitical point of view, but also in the aspect of strengthening a unique and common European project.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer praised the efforts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and said that it is finally moving in the right direction.
The member states that most advocated the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina are Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia.
“It is crucial to take advantage of the current momentum and decide to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Austrian Minister Karoline Edtstadler said earlier.
What should be noted is that certain member states have agreed to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but they have emphasized that the real work for the country is yet to come and that the dynamics of the negotiations will depend primarily on fulfilling the rest of the 14 priorities of the European Commission.
After those items concerning the previously announced reforms are fulfilled, Bosnia and Herzegovina will begin negotiations in the full sense by opening chapters and forming a negotiating team that will discuss all important topics with Brussels officials.
Certainly, more information about what awaits Bosnia and Herzegovina in the coming period will be given by the leaders of the European Union, whose address is planned after the end of the European Council session.
When talking about the history of relations between the European Union and our country, BiH signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement back in June 2008. Due to a series of problems, the agreement entered into force only on June 1, 2015, and Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its application for membership on February 15, 2016.
As a reminder, in May 2019, the European Commission published an opinion containing 14 priorities that BiH must achieve in order for negotiations to begin.
Even though BiH officials adopted part of certain priorities, it was still insufficient to grant the negotiating status earlier.
In December 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina received candidate status, and in November 2023, the European Commission recommended to the European Council the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Klix.ba reports.
