The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said after meetings with representatives of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina that she clearly sees the country’s progress, but that additional results and the implementation of reforms are needed.
Von der Leyen praised BiH for 100% compliance with the EU’s foreign and security policy.
“You have expressed your commitment to the European path. This is one of the reasons why they became a candidate country in 2022. This was a great incentive for further progress, and last December the EU made a historic decision to open accession negotiations when your country sufficiently fulfills the criteria for membership.”
She added that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made some progress and adopted important laws.
“You have shown that you can achieve results if your country is united to move forward. The more results you achieve, the more you help me create a report that will reflect that progress,” Von der Leyen said.
During today’s meeting, officials discussed the Western Balkans Growth Plan adopted by the European Commission in November 2023 with the aim of bringing some of the benefits of membership to the region before accession, boosting economic growth and accelerating much-needed socioeconomic rapprochement. The goal is to enable partner countries to intensify reforms and investments in order to significantly accelerate the process of expansion and growth of their economies.
For this purpose, a new Instrument for Reforms and Growth for the Western Balkans worth six billion euros has been proposed for the period from 2024-2027. Payments will be made only when the agreed reforms are implemented. She added that the European Union is incomplete without the Western Balkans.
“During the meetings, I mentioned the great motto we have in the EU, which is ‘united in diversity’. You really have diversity, but you are united in one goal, which is the EU. On the other hand, we should use the time to adopt laws that are very pragmatic. You heard from my friends that this is a key moment that should not be missed. This is a great opportunity for BiH, but also for the EU. We are convinced that the EU is incomplete without the Western Balkans,” she said.
Regarding whether Bosnia and Herzegovina should adopt all 14 priorities by March or part of them, she said that it is necessary to achieve as many as possible.
“That is the key message. The Commission is available to support you. This can be done. I invite you to use our support to try to make it happen”.
The visit of the European officials followed the decision of the European Council in December 2023 to open the accession negotiations of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the European Union when the necessary degree of compliance with the criteria for membership is achieved. The European Council also invited the Commission to report to the Council on progress no later than March 2024 with a view to taking a decision.
The purpose of the visit is to encourage the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take advantage of this opportunity and intensify their efforts in order to achieve the necessary progress by March 2024 on 14 key priorities from the Opinion of the European Commission. In addition, the visit is an opportunity to discuss the possibilities offered by the European Commission’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, BHRT writes.
