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European Union’s Accession Process with Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introduction

The European Union has established a comprehensive framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession process, outlining key priorities and conditionalities for reforms. This document summarizes the main points of this process.

European Partnership

  • The EU has established an European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which sets out priorities for reforms in areas such as:
    • Economic development
    • Public finances
    • Legal certainty
    • Corporate governance
    • Preparations for membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Financial Framework

  • Financial assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina is provided through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) from 2007 to 2013.
  • The Multiannual Indicative Financial Framework (MIFF) for 2009-2011 allocates EUR 440.1 million in financial assistance.

Conditionalities

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina must comply with the Copenhagen criteria and the priorities defined by the European Partnership, including effective implementation of reforms.
  • Compliance is necessary to receive financial assistance.
  • The document mentions several related acts:
    • Communication from the Commission on Western Balkans: enhancing the European Perspective (2008)
    • Proposal for a Council and Commission Decision concerning the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2008)
    • Council Decision on signing and conclusion of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2008)

Bilateral Relations

  • The document mentions a proposal for a Council and Commission Decision concerning the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Financial Assistance

  • The document also mentions financial assistance from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including grants and loans under the EIB’s mandate for granting regional loans to the EU’s south-eastern neighbours.