A decade after ‘historic step’, Bosnia’s EU reforms remain stalled

In 2015, then-EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini welcomed a reform commitment endorsed by both chambers of Bosnia’s parliament.

“This is not just a piece of paper, but a new chapter in relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU, a historic step,” she said.

Party leaders and the country’s three-member Presidency had previously agreed the commitment. Many of the politicians involved remain influential today.

Bosnia received EU candidate status in December 2022. EU leaders decided in March 2024 to open accession negotiations, but further reforms were required before adoption of the negotiating framework. That political decision did not mark the start of substantive membership talks.

Judicial reforms still outstanding

Unresolved requirements include a new Law on the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, legislation governing the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, and the appointment of a chief negotiator.

The council is the state-level body responsible for judicial and prosecutorial appointments and disciplinary matters.

Agreements needed to access financing under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans also remain pending. According to N1’s reporting, Bosnia has yet to draw funds under the scheme.

Haris Plakalo questioned whether earlier advances in the accession process had been matched by sufficient reform, arguing that Bosnia had failed to use the opportunities it received.

State-level lawmaker Predrag Kojovic said resistance to changes affecting Bosnia’s ethnically organised political system was a central obstacle.

He criticised the approach of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and Bosnian Croat leader Dragan Čović, comparing their demands for accession on their own terms to seeking football’s highest individual honour without playing.

“It is like saying: I want to win the Ballon d’Or, but I don’t want to play football,” Kojovic said.

EU urges action after election

Following Bosnia’s October 4 general election, EU officials are calling for governments to be formed and reform work to resume.

Luigi Soreca, head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia, said integration had made little progress over the preceding year.

“European integration is, at least declaratively, the goal of all political actors in the country, but now is the time to turn those words into concrete action,” he said.

The next authorities face an immediate test: agreeing on the outstanding laws and appointments needed to move beyond formal commitments towards accession negotiations.