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Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union

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Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union
StatusCandidate (unscreened)
Application
European perspective21 June 2003
Potential candidate21 June 2003
Membership application15 February 2016
Candidate status15 December 2022
ScreeningDecember 2023, following certain reforms
Screened & negotiations commenceNot yet applicable
Clusters unopenNot yet applicable
Chapters unopenNot yet applicable
Clusters openNot yet applicable
Chapters openNot yet applicable
Clusters closedNot yet applicable
Chapters closedNot yet applicable
Memberships & Treaties
Association Agreement
Stabilisation and Association Agreement since 1 June 2015
Economic and monetary policy
EU Free Trade Agreementincluded in the SAA
World Trade Organization (WTO)Undergoing the accession process[1]
Euro & the EurozoneThe euro is widely accepted in BiH, although it has no formal approval, and the official currency of the country is the Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
Travel
Schengen visa liberalisation15 December 2010
Eurocontrol2004
Energy
Energy Community20 September 2006
EuratomThere are currently no nuclear power plants or research facilities.
ENTSO-ENOSBiH
ENTSO-GBH-Gas
Foreign and military policy
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)Membership Action Plan since 5 December 2018
Main article: Bosnia and Herzegovina–NATO relations
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)30 April 1992
Human rights and international courts
International Criminal Court (ICC)Bosnia has not ratified the Rome Statute, but the ICC has made numerous investigations into the Bosnian genocide[2]
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Main article: Bosnian genocide case
Impact (27+1)
Population446,828,803451.590,396
Increase 0.7%
Area4,233,262 km2
1,634,472 mi2		4,284,481 km2
1,654,258 mi2
Increase 1.2%
HDI0.8960.892
Decrease 0.4%
GDP (PPP)$25.399 trillion$25.467 trillion
Increase 0.3%
GDP per capita (PPP)$56,928$56,394
Decrease 0.9%
GDP$17.818 trillion$17.845 trillion
Increase 0.15%
GDP per capita$39,940$39,515
Decrease 1.1%
Gini30.030.01
Negative increase 0.3%
Official Languages2426 (+Bosnian & +Serbian)
Increase +2
(Croatian is already an official language
since Croatia joined the EU in 2013)
Politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Constitution
Presidency
Recent elections
Foreign relations
Political divisions
flag Bosnia and Herzegovina portal

The accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union (EU) is the stated aim of the present relations between the two entities. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been recognised by the European Union as a "candidate country" for accession since the decision of the European Council in 2022 and is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the EU. Bosnia and Herzegovina takes part in the Stabilisation and Association Process and trade relations are regulated by an Interim Agreement.

Bosnia and Herzegovina formally applied for EU membership on 15 February 2016, following years of constitutional reforms and engagements with the Dayton Agreement. Bosnia's failure to meet the conditions for the closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including addressing state and military property ownership issues and implementing constitutional reforms, had prevented the country from submitting an application until 2016. On 15 December 2022, the European Council officially granted candidacy status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.[3] It is one of nine current EU candidate countries, together with Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. On 12 March 2024, the European Commission recommended opening EU membership talks for Bosnia and Herzegovina.[4] On 21 March 2024, all 27 EU leaders agreed in principle to open EU accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina,[5] but it must first fulfill all conditions provided by the Commission.[6]

Relations

[edit]

The EU established a regional approach to the Western Balkans in 1997, with political and economic conditionality criteria for the development of bilateral relations. The following year, an EU/Bosnia and Herzegovina Consultative Task Force was put in place to start the process. Since 2006, the task force has been replaced by the Reform Process Monitoring (RPM).

An Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related issues was signed and entered into force on 1 July 2008. The Interim Agreement was the legal framework for trade between Bosnia and the EU between 2008 and 2015. Unilateral trade preferences ("Autonomous Trade Measures", ATM) were introduced by the EU for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the year 2000. Trade has increased since 2008 and EU products have been granted reciprocal preference in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU is the main trading partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 73.5% of the exports from the country went to the EU in 2014, following Croatia's accession.[7]

Financial assistance

[edit]

In the 2007–2013 budgetary period, Bosnia and Herzegovina was a beneficiary of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funds. As a "potential candidate country", Bosnia was allowed to finance projects under the first two IPA components, Transition Assistance and Institution Building and Cross-Border Cooperation. The eligibility for the three advanced IPA components would be conditional on Bosnia's acquisition of EU candidacy status and its implementation of a Decentralised Implementation System, streamlining administrative capacities in order to autonomously manage projects and disburse funds with only ex-post Commission controls.

The priorities for IPA action for Bosnia were set in the 2008 European Partnership.

Bosnia and Herzegovina was receiving EUR 822 million of developmental aid until 2020 from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries.

Visa liberalisation process

[edit]

On 1 January 2008, a visa facilitation and readmission agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU entered into force. Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in the dialogue for visa liberalisation with Schengen countries, launched by the European Commission on 26 May 2008. On November 8, 2010 the Council of the European Union approved visa-free travel to the EU for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[8] The decision entered into force on 15 December 2010.[9]

EU special representative

[edit]
Main article: European Union Special Representative § Bosnia and Herzegovina

Peter Sørensen took over the position of EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina from September 2011 until October 2014. His post was decoupled from the one of High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (which remained in the hands of Valentin Inzko), and merged with the one of Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, aiming at strengthening the EU pre-accession strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.[10] He was replaced by Lars-Gunnar Wigemark. In 2019, Johann Sattler was appointed.[11]

CFSP and ESDP operations

[edit]

In 2004, the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina constitutes the first European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mission. The same year, EUFOR Althea replaced NATO's SFOR mission.

Stabilisation and Association Process

[edit]

A Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) for the five countries of the region, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, was proposed in 1999. In June 2000, the European Council in Feira recognised that all the SAP countries are "potential candidates" for EU membership. In November of the same year, the regional SAP process was launched at the Zagreb summit.

The process towards the signature of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) began in 2003 with a feasibility study by the Commission on Bosnia and Herzegovina's capacity to implement the SAA. The same year, in June, the European Council in Thessaloniki confirmed the SAP as the main framework of the relations between the EU and the Western Balkans, recalling the perspective of accession for all the countries of the region.

The EU Council adopted a new European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 February 2008,[12] setting the short-term and mid-term priorities for EU assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina through IPA funds.

Stabilisation and Association Agreement

[edit]

Negotiations and signature

[edit]

Negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) – required before applying for membership – started in 2005 and were originally expected to be finalised in late 2007.[13] but negotiations stalled due to a disagreement over police reform.

The SAA was initialled on 4 December 2007 by caretaker Prime Minister Nikola Špirić. The initialing came in the wake of successful negotiations by Miroslav Lajčák in regards to passing his new quorum rules laws and also the commitment of Bosnian and Herzegovinian politicians to implementing police reform. Following the adoption of the police reforms in April 2008, the agreement was signed on 16 June 2008.[14][15] Reforms promised by the Prud Agreement would "build the ability of the State to meet the requirements of the EU integration process".[16]

The blockage of the SAA

[edit]

The final EU state to ratify the SAA, France, did so in February 2011. The SAA should have entered into effect within 40 days but was frozen since Bosnia had not complied with its previous obligations, which would have led to the immediate suspension of the SAA. The obligations to be met by Bosnia before the SAA can come into force include the adoption of a law on state aids and a national census, and implementation of the Finci and Sejdic ruling of the ECHR requiring an amendment to the Constitution to allow members of minorities to be elected to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to gain seats in the House of Peoples. The EU has also required that the country create a single unified body to manage their relations with the EU.[17] The adoption of state laws on the issues above are prevented by the opposition of the government of the Republika Srpska, which considers such issues a matter of exclusive competence of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[18]

The Croatian initiative

[edit]

In March 2014, Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusić at a session of the Council of the European Union proposed to other EU countries to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina the status of a Special EU Candidate Country in an aide-mémoire submitted during the meeting.[19] Minister Pusić pointed out that Croatia does not suggest lowering the membership criteria but rather that member states should take a proactive stance in cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and not just to put high criteria and then just wait for something to happen.[19] Croatia has also proposed that implementation of the judgment in the case of Sejdić and Finci v. Bosnia and Herzegovina should not anymore be a prerequisite for Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards the EU, but that this issue, together with the issue of a new constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, should be resolved after Bosnia and Herzegovina gets the status of Special EU Candidate country in negotiating chapters 23 and 24.[19]

The German-British initiative

[edit]

An initiative of the foreign ministers of Germany and the United Kingdom, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Philip Hammond, respectively, for the acceleration of the Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union was announced at the so-called Aspen Initiative Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in late 2014.[20] The two proposed that the SAA enter into force without first implementing the constitutional amendments required by Finci and Sejdic, provided that Bosnian authorities approve a declaration pledging their commitment to making the reforms required for European integration.[21] The foreign ministers called on local Bosnian politicians to begin with necessary reforms as soon as possible after a new government is formed after the 2014 Bosnian general election.[20]

The declaration was jointly signed by the tripartite presidency on 29 January,[22] and approved by parliament on 23 February.[23] The Council of the EU approved the SAA's entry into force on 16 March 2015.[24] The SAA entered into force on 1 June 2015.[25]

Domestic reactions to the German-British initiative

[edit]

International reactions to the German-British initiative

[edit]
  • High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina: The spokesman of the office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that the OHR welcomes any initiative that could unblock progress in reforms by increasing the functionality and efficiency of the state and thus speed up the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards the European Union.[29]
  • European Union European Union: High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said that she highly appreciates the ideas presented in Berlin and that their aim is for Bosnia and Herzegovina again to begin to move towards European integration.[30]
  • United States United States of America: Jen Psaki, Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, said that the United States welcomes and supports the initiative for reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as released by the foreign ministers of Germany and the United Kingdom in Berlin.[30]
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom: Philip Hammond stated that regional support is vital for the initiative. He thanked Croatian foreign minister Vesna Pusić for her important work on this issue, and foreign minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic for his valuable cooperation and said that he was delighted they could join the meeting.[31]
  • Croatia Croatia: Vesna Pusić confirmed that Croatia supports the new German-British initiative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and that this initiative is similar to the original Croatian initiative.[32] Pusić said that Croatia will not only support this initiative, but will also actively participate in it since it is important that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a successful and functional state.[32]
Status of SAA ratification
Event North Macedonia [33] Croatia [34] Albania [35] Montenegro [36][Note 1] Bosnia and
Herzegovina [38] 		Serbia [39][Note 2] Kosovo [40][Note 3]
SAA negotiations start 2000-04-05 2000-11-24 2003-01-31 2005-10-10 2005-11-25 2005-10-10 2013-10-28[42]
SAA initialled 2000-11-24 2001-05-14 2006-02-28 2007-03-15 2007-12-04 2007-11-07 2014-07-25[43]
SAA/IA signature 2001-04-09 2001-10-29 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2008-04-29 2015-10-27[44]
Interim Agreement:
EC ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2009-12-08 N/A [Note 4]
SAP state ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-10-09 2007-11-14 2008-06-20 2008-09-22 N/A [Note 4]
entry into force 2001-06-01 2002-03-01 2006-12-01 2008-01-01 2008-07-01 2010-02-01 N/A [Note 4]
Deposit of the instrument of ratification:
SAP state 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-11-09 2007-11-13 2009-02-26 2008-09-22 2016-02-26
Austria 2002-09-06 2002-03-15 2008-05-21 2008-07-04 2009-09-04 2011-01-13 N/A
Belgium 2003-12-29 2003-12-17 2008-10-22 2010-03-29 2010-03-29 2012-03-20 N/A
Bulgaria joined the EU later 2008-05-30 2009-03-13 2010-08-12 N/A
Croatia joined the EU later N/A
Cyprus joined the EU later 2008-05-30 2008-11-20 2009-07-02 2010-11-26 N/A
Czech Republic joined the EU later 2008-05-07 2009-02-19 2009-07-23 2011-01-28 N/A
Denmark 2002-04-10 2002-05-08 2008-04-24 2008-06-25 2009-05-26 2011-03-04 N/A
Estonia joined the EU later 2007-10-17 2007-11-22 2008-09-11 2010-08-19 N/A
Finland 2004-01-06 2004-01-06 2007-11-29 2009-03-18 2009-04-07 2011-10-21 N/A
France 2003-06-04 2003-06-04 2009-02-12 2009-07-30 2011-02-10 2012-01-16 N/A
Germany 2002-06-20 2002-10-18 2009-02-19 2009-11-16 2009-08-14 2012-02-24 N/A
Greece 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 2009-02-26 2010-03-04 2010-09-20 2011-03-10 N/A
Hungary joined the EU later 2007-04-23 2008-05-14 2008-10-22 2010-11-16 N/A
Ireland 2002-05-06 2002-05-06 2007-06-11 2009-06-04 2009-06-04 2011-09-29 N/A
Italy 2003-10-30 2004-10-06 2008-01-07 2009-10-13 2010-09-08 2011-01-06 N/A
Latvia joined the EU later 2006-12-19 2008-10-17 2009-11-12 2011-05-30 N/A
Lithuania joined the EU later 2007-05-17 2009-03-04 2009-05-04 2013-06-26 N/A
Luxembourg 2003-07-28 2003-08-01 2007-07-04 2009-06-11 2010-12-22 2011-01-21 N/A
Malta joined the EU later 2008-04-21 2008-12-11 2010-01-07 2010-07-06 N/A
Netherlands 2002-09-09 2004-04-30 2007-12-10 2009-01-29 2009-09-30 2012-02-27 N/A
Poland joined the EU later 2007-04-14 2009-02-06 2010-04-07 2012-01-13 N/A
Portugal 2003-07-14 2003-07-14 2008-07-11 2008-09-23 2009-06-29 2011-03-04 N/A
Romania joined the EU later 2009-01-15 2010-01-08 2012-05-22 N/A
Slovakia joined the EU later 2007-07-20 2008-07-29 2009-03-17 2010-11-11 N/A
Slovenia joined the EU later 2007-01-18 2008-02-07 2009-03-10 2010-12-07 N/A
Spain 2002-10-04 2002-10-04 2007-05-03 2009-03-12 2010-06-15 2010-06-21 N/A
Sweden 2002-06-25 2003-03-27 2007-03-21 2009-03-11 2009-09-14 2011-04-15 N/A
United Kingdom 2002-12-17 2004-09-03 2007-10-16 2010-01-12 2010-04-20 2011-08-11 N/A
European Communities or
European Union and Euratom 		2004-02-25 2004-12-21 2009-02-26 2010-03-29 2015-04-30 2013-07-22 2016-02-24 [Note 5]
SAA entry into force 2004-04-01 2005-02-01 2009-04-01 2010-05-01 2015-06-01 2013-09-01 2016-04-01[48]
EU membership (SAA lapsed) (TBD) 2013-07-01 (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD)

N/A: Not applicable.

  1. ^ Montenegro started negotiations in November 2005 while a part of Serbia and Montenegro (SiM). Separate technical negotiations were conducted regarding issues of sub-state organizational competency. A mandate for direct negotiations with Montenegro was established in July 2006. Direct negotiations were initiated on 26 September 2006 and concluded on 1 December 2006.[37]
  2. ^ Serbia started negotiations in November 2005 while part of SiM, with a modified mandate from July 2006.
  3. ^ Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but is still claimed by Serbia as part of its territory. The European Union remains divided, with five EU member states not recognizing its independence. The EU launched a Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism for Kosovo] on 6 November 2002 with the aim of aligning its policy with EU standards. On 10 October 2012 the European Commission found that there were no legal obstacles to Kosovo signing a SAA with the EU, as independence is not required for such an agreement.[41]
  4. ^ a b c No Interim Agreement associated with Kosovo's SAA was concluded.[45]
  5. ^ Kosovo's SAA was the first signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred a legal personality to the EU. As a result, unlike previous SAAs Kosovo's is exclusively between it and the EU and Euratom, and the member states are not parties independently.[42][46][47]

Public opinion

[edit]

A 2019 poll sponsored by the National Democratic Institute found that there was overall support of accession to the EU of 75%.[49] There was somewhat of a split over ethnic lines:

  • Bosniaks - 88% support, 10% oppose.
  • Croats - 75% support, 21% oppose.
  • Serbs - 54% support, 39% oppose.[49]

Membership application

[edit]

Bosnia and Herzegovina formally applied for EU membership on 15 February 2016, following years of constitutional reforms and engagements with the Dayton Peace Agreement. The failure of Bosnia to meet the conditions for the closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including addressing state and military property ownership issues and implementing constitutional reforms, had prevented the country from submitting an application until 2016.

On 9 December 2016, Bosnia and Herzegovina received the accession questionnaire from the European Commission and the responses to the questionnaire were submitted in February 2018. On 20 June 2018, the European Commission sent 655 follow-up questions to the Questionnaire. Presidency Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time, Milorad Dodik, handed over the answers to the additional questions on 5 March 2019. An opinion on Bosnia's application was published by the European Commission in May 2019.[50] Twenty-two policy and political criteria questions were still unanswered when Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its latest response on 5 March 2019. It remains a potential candidate country until it can successfully answer all of the questions on the European Commission's questionnaire sheet as well as "ensure the functioning of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and develop a national programme for the adoption of the EU acquis".[51]

On 12 October 2022, the European Commission recommended that candidate status be granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Council, on the understanding that a number of steps are taken.[52] These include the fulfillment of 14 key concepts proposed by the EU that seek progress in the strengthening of democracy and human rights, as well as 8 further objectives that must be met: "judicial reform, prevention of conflicts of interests, fight against corruption and organised crime, border and migration management, media freedom, protection of journalists and the creation of preventive mechanisms against torture and ill-treatment."[53] On 15 December 2022, the European Council officially granted candidacy status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.[3] It is one of eight current EU candidate countries, together with Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.

On 2 March 2022, two former High Representatives for Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko and Christian Schwarz Schilling appealed to the EU for a faster accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to it: "February 24, 2022 represents a dark day in the history of Europe, because there is a danger that this kind of aggression against a sovereign state could encourage other dictators to take similar steps". With these words, two former high representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the President of the European Commission, reacting to the dramatic development of the situation in Ukraine and the Russian army's attacks on civilian targets.[54]

On 12 June 2022, several political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina were called to Brussels on the request of Charles Michel, the president of the European Council. Most of the participants of the meeting in Brussels, which lasted more than eight hours, accepted the document: "Political Agreement on Principles for Ensuring a Functional BiH". The document, whose goals are ensuring a functional Bosnia and Herzegovina that advances on the European path, defines the commitment to preserve and build a peaceful, stable, sovereign and independent functional European Bosnia and Herzegovina. While also being committed to respecting the rule of law and conducting free and democratic elections. The importance of implementing reforms, which improve the European integration of BiH, is emphasized.[55]

On 3 September 2022, the president of Slovenia Borut Pahor expressed his views "The first thing is for Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania to speed up the negotiations for joining the EU, for Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive candidate status by the end of Sunday, and for the EU to fulfill its obligation on visa liberalization". This caused confusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina since there was no previous mention from the Slovenian President regarding the candidate status of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[56]

On 6 September 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an agreement with the European Union regarding it joining the European Civil Protection Mechanism. This agreement allowed Bosnia and Herzegovina to use all the benefits of EU members, to receive support and assistance in terms of education, equipment, schooling, but also to eliminate the consequences of natural disasters.[57]

On 12 October 2022, the European Commission recommended that candidate status be granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Council, on the understanding that a number of steps are taken:

  1. adoption of the integrity amendments in the existing law of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council;
  2. adoption of a new law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council;
  3. adoption of the law on Courts of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  4. adoption of the law on prevention of conflict of interest;
  5. enhancement on fight against corruption and organised crime;
  6. advance work on border management and migration management, as well as ensuring the functioning of the asylum system;
  7. ensuring prohibition of torture, notably the establishment of a national preventive mechanism against torture and ill-treatment;
  8. guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of the media;
  9. adoption of a national programme for the adoption of the EU acquis.[58]

On 15 December 2022, the European Council officially granted candidacy status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.[3]

Chronology of Relations with the European Union

[edit]
Timeline[59]
Date Event
1997 Regional approach to the Western Balkans established.
June 2003 Bosnia and Herzegovina identified as a potential candidate for EU membership during the Thessaloniki European Council summit.
25 November 2005 Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations officially opened in Sarajevo.
31 July 2007 Bosnia and Herzegovina & EU sign financing agreement for the instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) 2007 National Programme.
18 September 2007 Visa facilitation and readmission agreements signed.
4 December 2007 EU initials Stabilization and Association Agreement.
1 January 2008 Visa facilitation and readmission agreements enter into force.
18 February 2008 Council adopts new European partnership programme.
16 June 2008 Stabilization and Association Agreement and Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues signed.
1 July 2008 Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues enters into force.
27 May 2010 Commission adopts proposal allowing citizens of Albania & Bosnia and Herzegovina to travel to Schengen countries without a short-term visa.
15 December 2010 Visa free regime for Schengen area introduced for all BiH citizens having a biometric passport.
1 September 2011 Delegation of the European Union and Office of the EU Special Representative become one reinforced EU presence.
27 June 2012 The EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina launch the High Level Dialogue on the Accession Process.
1 June 2015 The SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina enters into force.
15 February 2016 BiH submits its application to join the EU.
20 September 2016 EU Council invites the Commission to present an Opinion on BiH application.
February 2018 Bosnia and Herzegovina sends accession questionnaire back to the European Commission.
20 June 2018 European Commission sends 655 follow-up questions to the Questionnaire.
5 March 2019 Bosnia and Herzegovina submits most responses to follow-up questions.
29 May 2019 European Commission notes progress but the country still needs to enact some constitutional changes as well as "ensure the functioning of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and develop a national programme for the adoption of the EU acquis."[60]
12 June 2022 Brussels Agreement, whose goal is to advance Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path, is accepted.
23 June 2022 The European Council invites the European Commission to report on Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress.
6 September 2022 Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the EU Mechanism for Civil protection.
12 October 2022 The European Commission recommends that candidate status be granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina by the European Council, with nine conditions to be implemented.
15 December 2022 The European Council grants candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
12 March 2024 The European Commission recommends opening membership negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
21 March 2024 The European Council agrees to open membership negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Negotiations

[edit]

Negotiation talks have not yet started. However, the European Commission has given an opinion on the status of various reforms since 2019.

The 2023 enlargement package report was released by the European Commission on 8 November 2023, including updates on Bosnia' acquis alignment and a recommendation for the Council to open accession negotiations once certain conditions were met.[61][62]

On 12 March 2024, the European Commission recommended for EU membership negotiations to open for Bosnia and Herzegovina, praising the country's progress on undertaking important reforms.[63][4] The Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations claimed, among other things, that "the public commitment of the political leadership to the strategic goal of European integration was taken forward by important reforms and have brought positive results. Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown strong commitment to move forward on long pending reforms such as the adoption of the law on the prevention of conflict of interests and the law on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing. Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken significant steps to improve the judiciary and prosecutorial system, the fight against corruption organised crime and terrorism and to improve migration management, with the approval of a mandate to negotiate a Frontex status agreement. Bosnia and Herzegovina has reached and maintained full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is a significant positive step and crucial in these times of geopolitical turmoil."[63]

The European Commission also agreed to release its progress report to the Council.[63]

On 21 March 2024, at a summit in Brussels, all 27 EU leaders, representing the European Council, unanimously agreed to grant a conditional approval for the opening of EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.[6][64][5] European Council President Charles Michel welcomed the decision, with talks set to begin following the implementation of more reforms.[5][65]

Screening of negotiation chapters (the explanatory phase) began in April 2024.[66] The next step of the process towards becoming a negotiating candidate is for the European Commission to prepare a negotiating framework for adoption by the Council. However, this can only take place once all relevant steps set out in the Commission's recommendation of 12 October 2022 have been taken by Bosnia and Herzegovina.[67] As of 3 July 2024, this final condition for negotiations to start had not yet been met.[68][66] The state claimed to meet 98% of conditions demanded by the European Commission by passing a 2024 budget and Growth Plan reform package on 19 July 2024.[69][70][71] Final approval of the Growth Plan reform package was however blocked by four cantons on 25 July.[72] As of December 2024, the Council reminded they still needed to receive an approved Growth Plan reform package along with a national programme for adoption of EU law, and that the country should appoint a chief negotiator and a national IPA III coordinator, before the adoption of a negotiation framework can happen as the next step of the process.[73]

On 31 July 2023, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on four leaders from Republika Srpska (a federal entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) that were directly responsible for encouraging the passage of a National Assembly of Republika Srpska law that purported to declare the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina inapplicable in Republika Srpska, and hereby endangering regional security, peace and cooperation for the Western Balkans by obstructing and threatening the implementation of the Dayton Agreement.[74] On 25 December 2024, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted conclusions on an alleged erosion of the legal order in Bosnia and Herzegovina, claiming the Dayton Agreement had been violated by illegal actions made by the current as well as all past High Representatives, the Constitutional Court and Prosecutor's Office. The National Assembly demanded "annulment of all acts resulting from unconstitutional actions by foreign individuals (High Representatives) who lack the constitutional authority to propose or enact laws", and "requires representatives from Republika Srpska in state institutions to suspend decisions related to European integration (as well as all decision-making concerned to the overall level of the country) until the process aligns with democratic principles and the rule of law". Finally the National Assembly requested the Government of Republika Srpska to urgently propose amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, criminalizing any non-compliance with decisions made by the institutions of Republika Srpska.[75] Ambassadors from Germany, France, Italy, US, UK and EU immediately condemned the move made by the National Assembly and called it a serious threat to the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing that all decisions made by the National Assembly should respect the Constitution and be in compliance with all previous and future decisions made by the Constitutional Court.[76]

Chapter and screening dates
Progression 0 / 35 0 / 35 0 / 35 0 / 35
Acquis chapter Screening started Screening completed Chapter opened Chapter closed
Overview 0 out of 35 0 out of 35 0 out of 35 0 out of 35
1. Free Movement of Goods
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services
4. Free Movement of Capital
5. Public Procurement
6. Company Law
7. Intellectual Property Law
8. Competition Policy
9. Financial Services
10. Information Society & Media
11. Agriculture & Rural Development
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy
13. Fisheries
14. Transport Policy
15. Energy
16. Taxation
17. Economic & Monetary Policy
18. Statistics
19. Social Policy & Employment
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy
21. Trans-European Networks
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights
24. Justice, Freedom & Security
25. Science & Research
26. Education & Culture
27. Environment & Climate Change
28. Consumer & Health Protection
29. Customs Union
30. External Relations
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy
32. Financial Control
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions
34. Institutions
35. Other Issues
Report History on the Ability to Assume the Obligations of EU Membership
Acquis chapter 2019 Report[77] 2020 Report[78] 2021 Report[79] 2022 Report[80] 2023 Report[81] 2024 Report[82]
1. Free Movement of Goods Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
4. Free Movement of Capital Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
5. Public Procurement Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
6. Company Law Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
7. Intellectual Property Law Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
8. Competition Policy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
9. Financial Services Some level of preparation Moderately prepared‡ Moderately prepared‡ Moderately prepared‡ Moderately prepared‡ Moderately prepared‡
10. Information Society & Media Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
11. Agriculture & Rural Development Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
13. Fisheries Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
14. Transport Policy Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
15. Energy Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
16. Taxation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
17. Economic & Monetary Policy Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
18. Statistics Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
19. Social Policy & Employment Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
21. Trans-European Networks Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
24. Justice, Freedom & Security Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
25. Science & Research Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
26. Education & Culture Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
27. Environment & Climate Change Some level of preparation Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation†
28. Consumer & Health Protection Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
29. Customs Union Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
30. External Relations Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
32. Financial Control Early stage Early stage Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions Some level of preparation Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage Early stage
34. Institutions N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
35. Other Issues N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Legend:

† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "early stage of preparation" AND "some level of preparation".

‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".

  totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

Bosnia and Herzegovina's foreign relations with EU member states

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See also

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References

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  2. ^ "BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA". International Criminal Court Project. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
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  43. ^ "Stabilization and Association Agreement is initialled". Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Kosovo. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  44. ^ "Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo signed". European Commission. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
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  46. ^ "Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations successfully completed". European External Action Service. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  47. ^ "Kosovo Launches Crucial SAA Talks With EU". Balkan Insight. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  48. ^ "Information relating to the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo (*), of the other part". EUR-Lex. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
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  53. ^ Liboreiro, Jorge (12 October 2022). "Brussels backs Bosnia as candidate to join EU... but with conditions". euronews. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
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