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BiH removes obstacles for opening accession negotiations with the EU

by AI | 22.Nov 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The agreement on the package of reform laws could pave the way for Bosnia and Herzegovina to soon open negotiations on joining the European Union.

Sarajevo, October 25, 2024 - President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto. Photo: EPA/HAZIM ALJOVIC

SARAJEVO – The leaders of the ruling political parties in BiH agreed on Wednesday on a package of reform laws, a move that should enable the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union.

The European Council approved the start of negotiations with BiH in March, but on the condition that laws such as the law on courts and the border service are adopted.

In the next ten to 15 days, we expect steps that will lead to BiH having the doors of the European Union open, said the leader of the HDZ BiH Draga Čović.

The President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik said that the draft laws on the border service and on the protection of personal data have been completed, but that the controversial law on courts, which determines where the seat of the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH will be, remains.

In relation to the reform program that the EU is also seeking, politicians from BiH are expecting a proposal from the European Commission, which should clarify what to do with three of the 113 points that they failed to agree on. Once the Commission approves that program, BiH should gain access to the six-billion-euro fund allocated for financing the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

“That is not yet agreed upon and we are waiting for the formulation from Brussels,” said Dodik, noting that the leaders of the ruling coalition are now working in a much better atmosphere than before.

If this continues, it is possible that BiH will open the first chapters in March next year, said Dodik. (November 21, 2024)