On Thursday 24 June, MEPs called on Bosnian institutions and politicians to significantly accelerate their work and deepen their cooperation in order to fully implement the 14 key priorities identified in the European Commission’s assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for EU membership.
The draft report by Paulo Rangel (EPP, Portugal), adopted by 483 votes in favour, 73 against and 133 abstentions, calls on the country to prioritise reforms in the areas of democratic functioning, the rule of law, fundamental rights and public administration.
For the European Parliament, it is also necessary to bring the Constitution in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, to strengthen the professionalism, independence and accountability of the judiciary. It is equally urgent, according to MEPs, that the country takes measures to fight widespread corruption and impunity in the public sphere. They call on the authorities to resume inclusive negotiations on electoral reform, eliminating all forms of inequality and discrimination in the electoral process.
MEPs also underline their commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and condemn attempts to undermine the state and its constitutional values. They say the path to EU membership depends on lasting peace, stability and meaningful reconciliation underpinning Bosnia and Herzegovina’s democratic and multicultural character.
The European Parliament also calls on the European Council to continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration, including by granting it candidate status, “which would send a strong political message”.
The European Parliament believes that the Bosnian authorities need to work to find constructive, sustainable, immediate and long-term solutions to the country’s migration situation and its consequences.
It also calls for a coordinated, strategic and transparent national response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and for the EU to allocate sufficient vaccines to the region.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3gUnyF2 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)