On Monday 17 October, the Foreign Affairs Council called on Bosnia-Herzegovina to continue focusing its efforts on the EU integration process "including the effective implementation of the reform agenda". The Council said the authorities in the country should make further efforts "for addressing the economic and social challenges, as well as in the areas of rule of law and public administration".
In their conclusions, the EU foreign ministers particularly highlight the need to make progress on the way the legal system functions, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and the fight against radicalism and terrorism.
The Council reiterates its "unequivocal commitment" to Bosnia-Herzegovina as "a single, united and sovereign country". The Council therefore "regrets" the "unlawful" holding of a referendum on Republika Srpska day and believes this "caused unnecessary tensions and challenged the rule of law". The Bosnian authorities must resolve this question as part of established legal processes, constructive dialogue and within the constitutional framework, the EU Foreign Affairs Council states.
In addition, whilst the ministers consider that the local elections on 2 October were carried out in a generally "orderly manner", they would like "the few irregularities and isolated violent incidents" to be investigated by the authorities. The ministers also welcome the continuation of the Althea operation, which contributes to peace-keeping in the country. They therefore call on the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy to present the strategic review on this operation, in “autumn 2017, as a basis for discussion with member states on options for the future of the operation”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)