Kallas: BiH made good progress until 2024, but now we see a worrying reform slowdown

Speaking about the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina received the green light to open accession negotiations with the European Union, but that reforms continue to move slowly due to political blockages, Kallas stressed that the EU is ready to help Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that domestic authorities must deliver the reforms needed by citizens, the country’s prosperity, and its EU membership.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina really did a good job in the period leading up to 2024 by delivering reforms. Over the past two years, we have seen a slowdown in reforms, which concerns us greatly, and that is why I am here for the third time. Other European representatives are also asking what more we can do to help you deliver those reforms," Kallas said.

She emphasized that reforms are not important solely because of the formal EU accession process, but above all because of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"These are reforms your people need, reforms needed for your country’s prosperity, for the well-being of everyone here, and they are also necessary for accession to the European Union," she stressed.

Kallas also warned that Bosnia and Herzegovina is already losing significant funding from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans due to political deadlock.

"The European Union is here for you, but your politicians and your government must also deliver results. Take, for example, the ratification of the Growth Plan. This is a plan intended for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. EUR 108 million has already been lost, and now there is a risk of losing EUR 373 million," Kallas said.

She emphasized that these funds could be invested in improving infrastructure and enhancing citizens’ quality of life.

Asked what concrete signal the European Union can send to citizens of candidate countries to show that the European perspective is real, Kallas said the process is always a two-way street.

"On one side are the reforms we ask candidate countries to implement. You also have elections coming up, and this is a question you can ask all parties participating in those elections – whether they are delivering those reforms. On the other side, there is our side, and we are trying to help your country as much as we can," Kallas told FENA.

As examples of concrete benefits for citizens, she pointed to initiatives such as “roam like at home” (RLAH), allowing citizens to use mobile services across Europe under conditions similar to those at home, as well as ongoing work related to payment systems.

Asked whether enlargement toward the Western Balkans is today more a matter of EU credibility or European security, Kallas said enlargement has always been a geopolitical process.

"If we look at geopolitical developments around the world, it is clear that we are stronger together. Enlargement brings peace and stability. We have already seen this. Countries that were once at war with one another within the European Union are now working hand in hand. It is clear that this is something we must continue to push forward," Kallas explained.

She added that the European Union cannot let down its partners, including the Western Balkan countries, and expressed hope that the enlargement process would move faster.

"We hope that we will be able to move quite quickly in the enlargement process, provided that the homework is done on both sides – in the Western Balkan countries and in the European Union," Kallas stressed.

Commenting on proposals from France and Germany for a new approach to enlargement, which would foresee the gradual integration of candidate countries into certain EU policies, institutions, and the single market before full membership, Kallas said various ideas stem from the fact that the enlargement process has taken too long.

"We want to see future members really working with us, because together we are much stronger. But it is also true that everyone wants access to the internal market. At the same time, we want to see those countries deliver on what we call the fundamentals – fundamental freedoms, media freedom, freedom of assembly, and rule-of-law principles that actually bring prosperity to those countries," Kallas said.

She stressed that access to the internal market and reforms must go hand in hand.

Asked whether the European Union is institutionally, financially, and politically ready for another enlargement, particularly if the Union grows to more than 30 members, Kallas said enlargement should not be viewed as a game where either everyone is in or everyone is out.

"If we take Montenegro or Albania as examples, these are very small countries and the European Union’s absorption capacity can accommodate that. Or if we take Bosnia and Herzegovina, you are not a large country either. I think we need to look at all these countries individually and see how we can move forward," she said.

She added, however, that it is clear the European Union, with a larger number of members, will need more efficient decision-making processes.

Speaking about changes in the international order, the war in Ukraine, changes in transatlantic relations, and the influence of Russia and China, Kallas said the European Union cannot afford for the Western Balkans to remain outside the Union much longer.

"The geopolitical situation is such that, if you look at the map, Europe is actually a very small continent. We have many nations, many different cultures and languages, but we are all very small. To stand up to all those external challengers, we need to work together," Kallas said.

She concluded that it is also in the European Union’s interest for the countries of the Western Balkans to become members.

"It is clear that it is also in our interest for the Western Balkans – that is, the countries of the Western Balkans – to join the European Union," Kallas said in the interview with FENA.