Bosnian Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija met the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, during the 4th Stabilisation and Associaton Council meeting in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the Union’s enlargement process and Bosnia’s accession to the EU.
In a joint press conference, Borrell said, “The EU reiterates its unequivocal commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country and our commitment to remain firmly as its side.” He also encouraged the nations to step up their realignment with “Common Foreign and Security Policy decisions and declarations” and referred to the reforms Bosnia needs to undertake to justify its accession to the Union. “I regret that the rate of alignment has dropped in the first months of this year. This is certainly not in line with the aspirations to become a European Union candidate country,” he said.
During the council meeting, both sides discussed economic reforms apart from reforms needed for effective governance and enhancing the rule of law. Borrell and PM Tegeltija also reviewed progress on 14 priority areas that are necessary for the EU membership. The areas include constitutional and electoral reforms, equal representation for all, and compliance with the European Court’s rulings for human rights. Borrell warned the nations against the glorification of convicted war criminals and attempts to revise history.
Moreover, the foreign policy chief said that the European Commission is “ready to deliver, including on candidate status, provided that Bosnia and Herzegovina also give concrete results on fulfilling the key priorities.” Borrell also focused on the post-pandemic recovery of Western Balkan countries and assured them of aid for rebuilding their economies through the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.
The talks between the PM and the EU representative were held amid growing uncertainty around the enlargement process. The scepticism and uncertainty stemmed in April from a rumoured diplomatic note that pushed for the redrawing of boundaries of the Western Balkan countries. The note mentioned that Serbia, Croatia, and Albania were to be expanded to assimilate neighbouring Bosnia, North Macedonia and Kosovo.
Nedzma Dzananovic, a political analyst at the University of Sarajevo, believes that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s chances to join the Union are poor, as the process, which started two decades ago, has not yielded the desired results. He warned the bloc that the delayed accession process could harm the interests of the European nations and benefit Russia and China. He said, “It is necessary to rethink the process, revive the process in a meaningful way and give an honest account of what the European Union can offer.”
Borrell Says Bosnia Must Accelerate Realignment With Europe for Accession to EU
The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, urged the Bosnian Prime Minister to speed up the implementation of reforms, which are necessary for the EU membership.
July 14, 2021
SOURCE: AP NEWS