The European Union is closely monitoring the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is committed to its EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country, said EU's senior official Josep Borrell as he expressed concern over the ongoing political crisis in BiH. He called on political actors to focus on electoral and constitutional reforms, stressing that withdrawal from negotiations is not an acceptable option.

Responding to a letter from Deputy Speaker of Bosnian House of Peoples Bakir Izetbegovic and Speaker of House of Representatives Denis Zvizdic, Borrell said the EU is “deeply concerned” about the prolonged political crisis and the blockade of state institutions, which he assessed as “unacceptable.”

He also reminded that he discussed the situation in BiH with EU foreign ministers in November, who concluded that all political actors have to renounce provocative and rhetorical divisions and actions on divisions, and to continue the dialogue and deal with resolving issues in order to reduce tensions in the country.

“Let me reiterate the European Union's unequivocal commitment to the EU perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single, united and sovereign country,” he stressed.

Borrell noted that the renewal of the executive mandate of Operation Althea by the United Nations Security Council in November 2021 reaffirms the EU's unwavering commitment to supporting the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in ensuring a secure environment.

Also, he stressed, all political parties have to return to the state institutions in full capacity and contribute to the functioning of the state-level institutions including the Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

He called for “full commitment to advance the negotiations on constitutional and electoral reform, which the EU also actively supports.”

“It is now very important for Bosnia and Herzegovina to refocus on these reforms, which will enable it to address the 14 key priorities of the Commission's Opinion and make progress on the path to the EU, in line with the expectations of all citizens,” Borrell said.

“Withdrawal from the negotiations will not be an acceptable option,” he underlined.

Borrell also noted that resolving both issues will have to come from the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina and will require determination to compromise and political courage.