In a joint declaration adopted on Monday 25 March, the Chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, Romeo Franz (Greens/EFA, German), and the permanent rapporteur for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paulo Rangel (EPP, Portuguese), called on Sarajevo to “ prioritise and accelerate work on the fulfilment of the outstanding key priorities” in order to keep making progress towards EU membership.
“Key reforms cannot be delayed or subject to blockages and political games. Any divisive, inflammatory or secessionist rhetoric and action will damage and endanger the country’s EU integration process”, warned the MEPs, saying that “much remains to be done” in respect of the Western Balkan country.
A legal framework enabling the EU to impose restrictive measures – including the freezing of assets or imposing an EU travel ban – on individuals or entities that undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina has now been in place since 2011. On 25 March, the Council of the EU announced that this would be extended for a further two years until 31 March 2026.
This statement made by the two MEPs comes as the EU27 endorsed the European Commission’s recommendations on Thursday 21 March by deciding to officially open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina (see EUROPE 13376/2).
The latter can begin once the framework for negotiations has been adopted by the EU Council. According to the European Council’s conclusions, this will happen as soon as “all the relevant steps set out in the Commission’s recommendation of 12 October 2022” have been put in place. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)