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Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH on a study visit to the European Parliament

by AI | 25.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The deputies of both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, during a study visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, discussed cooperation in supporting democracy. The European Parliament emphasized strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the EU, focusing on strengthening the parliament as a key institution for integration. Although European integration is focused on the executive power, parliaments play an important role due to the complexity and duration of the adjustment process.

MPs of the upper and lower houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina on a study visit to Brussels (Photo: FENA/Department for Public Relations PSBiH)

Brussels, (Fena) – Members of the upper and lower houses, the House of Representatives, and the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PSBiH), who are on a study visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, today discussed with Director of DG EXPO – Directorate for Democracy Support Armelle Douaud and her associates on the topic ‘Partnership and cooperation in democracy support activities between the European Parliament and PSBiH’.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the European Parliament strongly supports Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the European Union (EU) and that the visit will be an opportunity for exchanging opinions and experiences with a special focus on strengthening the parliament as an institution that will be the main actor on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path to the EU.

As stated, today the process of European integration is essentially carried out between the European Commission and the executive authority, but parliaments have a special responsibility and are very significant given the depth and duration of the EU adaptation process.

According to Douaud, DG EXPO’s mission is to support capacity building and strengthening in the parliaments of candidate countries, with a particular focus on strengthening dialogue and consensus. They also support young political leaders within the “Jean Monet dialogue”.

As highlighted at the beginning of the study visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, this is an opportunity for DG EXPO to get first-hand information from Bosnian-Herzegovinian parliamentarians on areas where further cooperation needs to be strengthened, and mutual commitment to strengthening cooperation and support for the activities of PSBiH working bodies was emphasized, especially regarding legislative activities related to European integration.

Later in the day, PSBiH members will exchange opinions with representatives of the European Commission on the country’s progress and challenges, with special attention given to the role of the EU Council in the EU enlargement process and the next steps towards membership, balancing expectations, as well as obligations on the path to EU membership.

The continuation of the study visit to the European Parliament in Brussels will feature, as planned, an exchange of opinions on the challenges and opportunities on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path to the EU with members of the European Parliament, as well as a discussion on the role of the parliament in the accession process and examples of good practice. A panel presentation has also been announced: ‘How to build consensus in the European Parliament’ and a discussion on the role of rapporteurs, political groups, and shadow rapporteurs.

On the third day of the study visit, organized by the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG), deputies and delegates of PSBiH will participate in a simulation exercise on dialogue and consensus-building in the European Parliament and discuss the topic: ‘Stabilization and Association Agreement EU-BiH: Current status and necessary reforms on the European path’ with the European Parliament’s rapporteur for BiH Ondřej Kolář and deputies Helmut Brandstätter and Irena Joveva. (24.03.)