EU Opens Accession Talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Proposes Negotiating Frameworks for Ukraine, Moldova

EU Council Approves Accession Talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina

The European Commission has recommended that the EU Council open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, citing significant progress made by the country in implementing key reforms. The decision comes after a report presented to the Council highlighted improvements in areas such as judiciary, anti-corruption efforts, and migration management.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Progress Towards EU Accession

• Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted candidate status by the European Council in December 2022.
• The country has shown a strong commitment to European integration since then.
• The Commission’s report noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken significant steps to improve its judiciary, prosecutorial system, fight against corruption and organised crime, and enhance migration management.

EU Leaders Welcome Progress Made by Bosnia and Herzegovina

• EU President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• She stated that “more progress has been achieved in just over a year than in a whole decade.”
• Von der Leyen added that the EU’s door to Bosnia and Herzegovina is fully open, but further key reforms are needed to move forward on the country’s EU path.

EU Presents Draft Negotiating Frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova

The Commission also presented draft negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova, following the European Council’s decision to open negotiations with both countries. The frameworks establish guidelines and principles for accession negotiations, including:

• Adoption of the EU acquis in its entirety.
• Full implementation and enforcement.

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell emphasized that the presentation of the draft Negotiating Frameworks is a step forward in the process

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi noted that enlargement is more than ever a geostrategic investment in shared prosperity and security across the European continent

EU Council to Begin Internal Deliberations

The EU Council will now begin internal deliberations on the texts, with the rotating Presidency of the Council presenting the agreed-upon EU Common Position in the first inter-governmental conference with each country. The negotiating frameworks will be made public at this stage.

Ukraine and Moldova’s Progress Towards EU Accession

• Both countries have made significant progress in implementing EU accession reforms despite facing challenges such as hybrid attacks from Russia.
• The EU’s support for these countries is seen as a crucial step towards their integration into the European Union.