EU’s Complex Relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina

The European Union (EU) has a multifaceted relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which is marked by slow progress towards EU integration and numerous challenges related to its political, economic, and social development.

Key Issues in the EU-BiH Relationship

Electoral and Constitutional Reforms: BiH’s current electoral system is discriminatory and requires reform in line with European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings. The EU should consider establishing a joint working group to facilitate implementation.
Balance between Stability and Democracy: While BiH has made significant progress in terms of security since the 1990s, it still faces challenges related to ethno-nationalist elites and political will. The EU should invest more diplomatic efforts in articulating a coherent policy.

Recommendations for the EU’s Relationship with BiH

Establish a Joint Working Group: Create a joint European Commission-BiH-European Parliament working group on implementation of electoral and constitutional reforms.
Coherent Policy Dialogue: Invest more diplomatic efforts in articulating a coherent policy vis-à-vis BiH. This will help address challenges related to ethno-nationalist elites and political will.
Permanent Policy Dialogue: Consider initiating a permanent policy dialogue between EU Member States and BiH authorities to facilitate policy learning and sharing of experiences.
Non-Territorial Autonomy Model: Explore the Belgian experience in administering relations between federal government, regions, and communities as a potential model for non-territorial autonomy in BiH.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for a more coherent and proactive approach by the EU towards BiH in order to address its many challenges and facilitate progress towards EU integration. By implementing these recommendations, the EU can strengthen its relationship with BiH and support the country’s development into a stable and democratic member of the European community.