Brussels, 24/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 23 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn hailed the Bosnia-Herzegovina Parliament's approval of the written commitment to undertake reforms as part of the country's EU accession process.
Hailing the vote for Bosnia-Herzegovina's “European future”, Mogherini described the endorsement as “an important decision, (…) a historical decision”, and a great success. The “endorsement of the written commitment in this parliament enables Bosnia and Herzegovina to finally take a step towards joining the European Union”, she said during her visit to Sarajevo. Hahn also believed the vote was “historical” and he congratulated Bosnia-Herzegovina's leaders and institutions on Twitter.
The written commitment, which was signed by the Presidency on 29 January (see EUROPE 11243), comprises three points: adopting a mechanism for coordination between all government levels; taking concrete measures (including socio-economic); and bringing the constitution into line with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (the Sejdic Finci case).
Council discussions on 16 March. Mogherini announced that she would report back to the EU foreign ministers about Bosnia-Herzegovina's “positive developments” when the ministers met at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March, and she said she would recommend “that the European Union reciprocates, including the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA)”. Mogherini continued that she would propose an exchange of views in the Council on the entry into force of Bosnia-Herzegovina's SAA. In its conclusions of 15 December 2014, the Foreign Affairs Council had stated that once the commitment had been approved by the parliament, it would decide on the entry into force of the SAA (see EUROPE 11219). The SAA was initialled on 4 December 2007.
Call for reforms. “I think everybody is very much aware of the fact that, on one side, yes - today [23 February] can be a historical moment, [and] on the other side, the risk of going back to disillusion is high, and that no one - here or in Brussels - can afford to go back to the political stalemate that has been there for so long”, Mogherini stated.
She reiterated that numerous reforms needed to be undertaken in the country. “This is going to be the key - implementation”, she said, adding that they all knew that this was the most difficult part of the work. Mogherini stated that from now on the parliament and all political institutions of Bosnia-Herzegovina should focus their attention on the concrete work of the institutions at all levels. This would be essential, she said, adding that political resolve and commitment were needed to undertake the essential reforms to enable Bosnia-Herzegovina to prepare for future EU accession.
Mogherini stated that there was an urgent need to move forward on the crucial economic and social measures as part of the compact for jobs and growth. There was also an urgent need to take measures for building a viable market economy, she said. Further efforts to strengthen the rule of law and the reconciliation process are also needed, she added, and there is a need to deepen the administrative capacity and improve the efficiency of the institutions. “Another priority should be the establishment of a well-functioning coordination mechanism on EU matters. It is necessary for any successful interaction with the EU when preparing for future EU membership and for the receipt of EU funding”, Mogherini stated. While awaiting this mechanism, the funding for Bosnia-Herzegovina is currently reduced (see EUROPE 10940). (Camille-Cerise Gessant)