Brussels, 15/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 December, the General Affairs Council asked the leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina to maintain their country's positive dynamic on coming closer to the EU, by continuing with reforms.
In its conclusions, the Council states that “tangible” progress is needed in implementing the reform programme adopted in July in order for the EU to be able to consider an accession application from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Council thus calls for the adoption and implementation of the necessary reforms - especially on the rule of law (including corruption and organised crime) and socio-economic reforms. “It will be necessary to strengthen the public administration and to ensure smooth functioning and effectiveness at all levels of the state - especially through the swift implementation of a coordination mechanism on European issues - for the country to be able to address the challenges that await it on its path to the EU”, the ministers add. They state that when the Council asks the opinion of the European Commission on Bosnia-Herzegovina's application for EU accession, it will ask for particular attention to be paid to the implementation of the Sejdic/Finci ruling - in other words, the conformity of the constitution with the European convention on human rights.
The Council also states its concerns as regards the preparatory work in the Republika Srpska for a referendum on the judicial system at state level. The Council says that such a referendum would sit badly with the cohesion, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and would risk undermining efforts to improve the socio-economic situation and progress on the path to the EU. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)