The U.S. Embassy welcomes the decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to proceed with the conclusion and entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is an important milestone on the path to EU integration. Outlining and implementing the actual reform agenda in coming months will be difficult, but critical to the future of this country and the well-being of its people. To bring about these reforms, political leadership will have to show continued determination and collaboration.
The ultimate goal of the Stabilization and Association process is for BiH to become a member of the European Union, but the rigorous reforms membership demands will benefit BiH citizens long before the process has been completed. If the country and its leadership are successful in implementing reforms, institutions will be modernized, transparency will be introduced, and rule of law enhanced. The U.S. is committed to working with the EU to help BiH meet the reform challenges it faces.
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