During his meeting with the new Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday 15 February, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, stressed the importance of “proceeding rapidly” with the work necessary for the country to move forward on its European path, specifying that the EU was ready to assist the country in these efforts.
According to a statement, Mr Michel called in particular on the Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović, and the members of the Presidency, Željko Komšić and Denis Bećirović, to work towards the implementation of the commitments of the June 2022 Brussels Political Agreement (see EUROPE 12970/17) and the measures arising from the Commission’s October recommendation (see EUROPE 13041/13). “Reforms and the achievement of the 14 key priorities set out in the opinion remain essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its progress towards EU membership”, the President of the European Council highlighted.
Mr Michel also urged the Presidency to develop, together with the Council of Ministers, a concrete roadmap for the implementation of key priorities, with a clear timetable for each step.
Similarly, according to the President of the European Council, there is a need for a rapid mandate to the Council of Ministers to conclude the revised status agreement with Frontex and to sign and ratify the regional mobility agreements without delay, in order to bring practical and tangible benefits to the population.
He also stressed the importance of alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.
In a separate meeting with the Presidency, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stressed that “irresponsible rhetoric and actions” aimed at undermining the unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina had no place in the EU. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)