European Council President Charles Michel agreed with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political leaders to “convene a meeting in Brussels in the next weeks to work upon a roadmap which will set out the priority reforms and the political agreements needed to reinvigorate the EU path” for the country during a visit there on Friday 20 May.
According to a European Council statement, during his trip, Mr Michel expressed his willingness to facilitate the revival of dialogue between all parties. His discussions with Bosnian leaders focused on how to give new impetus to the reforms on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path, including how the EU can help improve and strengthen the functioning of state institutions.
At a press conference in Sarajevo, Mr Michel said he was convinced that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future was “within the EU as a single, united and sovereign country”.
“We hope to see real actions on the agenda of political, social and economic reforms”, he stressed, adding that progress on reforms meant progress towards the EU.
According to the President of the European Council, it is also essential that all political leaders engage in dialogue. “Establishing trust and dialogue is key”, he emphasised.
Bosnia and Herzegovina must make progress on 14 key priorities set out by the European Commission before the Council will consider the country’s application for EU membership. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)