Brussels, 08/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Bosnia and Herzegovina remains at a standstill in the European integration process, the European Commission announced with regret on Wednesday 8 October. In its progress report, the Commission notes the “lack of collective political will” on the part of the political leaders to take on the reforms that are needed. For Bosnia and Herzegovina to progress towards the EU, it is important that all levels of government are put quickly in place after the elections in October 2014 and that definite reform measures are taken swiftly, the Commission says. In a number of areas, progress is being hindered by a lack of country-wide strategies, it is regretted.
The Commission states, too, that the efficiency and functioning of the political institutions at all levels of government need to be improved and a well-functioning coordination mechanism on EU matters be set up “urgently”. The lack of such a mechanism continues to harm the country's interaction with the EU, the Commission notes.
The Commission regrets, too, the very limited progress on political and economic issues, such as the reform of public administration, legal reform, tackling corruption, freedom of the media and becoming a viable market economy. Recalling the social protest at the start of 2014, the Commission says that “addressing socio-economic needs of citizens must be the priority of all levels of government”. The Sejdic-Finci ruling of the European Court of Human Rights has still not been implemented, the Commission further regrets. (CG)