Brussels, 18/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 17 December, European foreign affairs ministers called on the leaders of Bosnia for Herzegovina for an agreement “without further delay” on the implementation of the Sejdic-Finci judgment from the European Court of Human Rights, “in order to move forward on the EU path”. “A credible effort in this regard remains necessary for the entry into force of the stabilisation and association agreement”, they add in their conclusions. The ministers express their “serious” concern at the fact that the EU integration process “has stalled”. Stating that the European Commission has had to postpone the discussions on IPA II (instrument for pre-accession) in the absence of a coordination mechanism on EU matters (which Bosnia and Herzegovina “needs urgently”), the Council regrets that the inability of the leaders to meet EU requirements has already led to a loss of IPA funds for the country this year. The ministers call on Sarajevo to review its position urgently on the adoption of the interim agreement/stabilisation and association agreement in connection with Croatia.
They note that some of the Commission's recommendations under the justice heading (in the framework of the structured dialogue) have been implemented. However, “the country faces major challenges”, the Commission points out. It stresses that increased attention is necessary to the rule of law, particularly regarding the following themes: judicial reform and the fight against corruption, organised crime and war crimes, reform of public administration, freedom of expression and the fight against discrimination. Additional economic reforms are also required, the ministers add. (CG/transl.fl)