EP report warns against "Georgian scenario" in BiH

The report, drafted by Czech MEP Ondřej Kolář of the European People’s Party, and adopted by 495 votes in favour and 130 against, criticises Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić for interfering in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s internal affairs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is not some country we know little about but pretend to care for, said the Czech MEP during the debate the day before.

It is a battleground for hybrid operations, foreign influence, and information campaigns, he noted.

"Parliament reaffirms its strong support for BiH’s EU accession bid, emphasising a merit-based process aligned with the Copenhagen criteria and grounded in the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity," the EP says on its website.

"Welcoming the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with BiH amid the changing geopolitical landscape following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, MEPs acknowledge key reforms but express concern over stalled progress and weak implementation.

"The report calls for implementation of the necessary constitutional and electoral reforms, and for efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, and to fight corruption and organised crime," says the EP.

MEPs strongly condemn divisive rhetoric and secessionist policies, particularly those promoted by Milorad Dodik and the Republika Srpska leadership, calling on the EU to take decisive action, including targeted sanctions, to counter destabilising forces threatening the country’s stability and European security. The report also stresses concerns about malign foreign interference and disinformation campaigns by foreign actors, notably Russia and China, that erode public trust in the EU.

Rapporteur Kolář was quoted as saying: "The future of the Balkans lies within Europe, not under Russian domination. Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the most difficult situation in Europe after Ukraine, and we must find a way to help it achieve full integration into Western structures. Developments in BiH demonstrate every day that we must strive for peace, stability, and development, because if we let up, we may once again face war and destruction."