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Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Progress Towards EU Membership: Key Takeaways from the European Commission Report

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The European Commission has released a comprehensive report assessing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress in fulfilling its commitment to EU membership. The report highlights areas of improvement, challenges, and key milestones in the country’s journey towards accession.

Economic Reform Program

Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to address structural weaknesses, including low competitiveness and high unemployment, by introducing socio-economic reforms.

  • Low Competitiveness: The country requires measures to enhance its competitiveness, such as investing in education and training, improving infrastructure, and promoting innovation.
  • High Unemployment: To reduce unemployment, the government should implement policies that promote job creation, support entrepreneurship, and improve labor market flexibility.

Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity

Bosnia and Herzegovina made some progress in this area, particularly in energy, environment, and climate change. However, it needs further steps on connectivity reform measures and alignment with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulations.

  • Energy: The country should focus on developing renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and increasing energy security.
  • Environment and Climate Change: Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to strengthen its policies and measures to address climate change, protect the environment, and promote sustainable development.
  • Transport and Connectivity: To enhance connectivity, the government should prioritize investments in transportation infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and airports.

Resources, Agriculture, and Cohesion

Bosnia and Herzegovina made no progress in this area, where preparation is mostly at an early stage. The country must step up its efforts to prepare and adopt a post-2021 countrywide strategy for rural development, align its legislation on food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy, and strengthen its administrative capacity.

  • Rural Development: To promote rural development, the government should invest in agriculture, forestry, and rural infrastructure, as well as support small businesses and entrepreneurship.
  • Food Safety and Animal Health: Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to align its legislation with EU standards on food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment.

External Relations

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) significantly improved, notably on High Representative statements on behalf of the EU and Council decisions on restrictive measures following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. However, the implementation of sanctions remains a challenge.

  • EU Common Foreign and Security Policy: The country should continue to strengthen its alignment with the EU CFSP, including participation in EU-led missions and operations.
  • Sanctions Implementation: Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to improve its capacity to implement EU sanctions effectively, ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to comply with EU regulations.

Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance 2021-2027 (IPA III)

Bosnia and Herzegovina benefited from EUR 45.5 million under IPA III in 2022, providing support for programmes in justice, public administration reform, public finance management, EU integration, environment and climate change, employment and social protection.

  • Justice: The country should focus on strengthening its judicial system, improving the efficiency of courts, and enhancing the rule of law.
  • Public Administration Reform: Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to implement reforms to improve the effectiveness and accountability of public administration, including decentralization and citizen participation.
  • EU Integration: To advance EU integration, the government should prioritize the adoption of EU legislation, align its policies with EU standards, and strengthen its capacity for EU policy implementation.

Key Dates

The report mentions several key dates related to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey towards EU membership:

  • Thessaloniki Summit (June 2003): The summit confirmed the EU perspective for the Western Balkans.
  • Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) signing (June 2008): The agreement provided a framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration process.
  • European Commission recommendation to open accession negotiations: Once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved, the European Commission will recommend opening EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.