The European Union will continue to provide guidelines and generous financial support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, said European Neighborhood Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn, amid the publication of the European Commission's (EC) Report on Bosnia. Hahn said that the country has taken decisive steps in 2016 on its European integration process.
“I am glad that we are now preparing a detailed opinion on Bosnia's application for membership in the EU. During this process, the country will be assessed against European standards accross all sectors, in order to see where adjustment is needed,” Hahn said.
Over the past three years, since the Reform Agenda was adopted, which is a set of reforms which Bosnia must implement during its EU integration process, Hahn noticed some encouraging signs which have led to a very positive momentum in country's credibility towards its international partners, including the EU, regarding the country's ability to fulfill its political obligations.
“However, I noticed that the pace of reforms has slowed down and the country risks falling back into a pattern where personal and party-political interests are valued higher than the interests of the citizens of Bosnia. These are probably the first signs of per-election campaigns for the upcoming election in October,” Hahn said. “However, election should not be used as an excuse to hold the country's European aspiration hostage.”
He added that the European integration process is a unique opportunity for Bosnia to improve its economic opportunities and living standards for all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity.
He told the Bosnian citizens that the EU will continue to provide Bosnia with guidelines in terms of policies and generous financial support on its path to EU membership.
“European integrations are a transformative process that belongs to and benefits primarily the citizens. Stable, modern, democratic and prosperous Bosnia in a united and stronger Europe is something we are all working on. Do not doubt that the EU will continue to support you at your every step on this path,” Hahn said in a video message.
