At its meeting in Brussels today, the EU Foreign Affairs Council determined that the written commitment to reform, signed by all parties in BiH last month, meets the conditions the Council previously set forth. The Council subsequently confirmed that it was ready to “proceed with the conclusion and entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina.” The SAA is intended to gradually bring BiH laws and practices into line with European standards, while establishing free trade between BiH and EU states. To those ends, the SAA will also provide funding for reform-oriented programs in BiH.
The Council calls on Bosnia and Herzegovina leadership to fully uphold its commitments and obligations, including those relating to the adaptation of the forthcoming SAA, and to remain engaged with the European Union under the renewed approach and maintain the positive momentum by developing an initial agenda for reforms in consultation with the European Union. This reform agenda, to be developed and implemented also in consultation with civil society, should include reforms under the Copenhagen criteria and agreed functionality issues (including the EU coordination mechanism). Meaningful progress on the implementation of agenda for reforms, including the “Compact for Growth and Jobs”, will be necessary for a membership application to be considered by the European Union.”
