Kallas urges Bosnia to deliver reforms as EU warns €108 million in funds could be lost

Speaking during her visit to Sarajevo, Kallas said Bosnia and Herzegovina had made only limited progress since the European Council decided to open accession negotiations in March 2024. She stressed that several key conditions still need to be fulfilled before formal negotiations can begin, including the appointment of a chief negotiator and the adoption of remaining reform legislation.

Following talks with Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto, both officials agreed that Bosnia and Herzegovina belongs in Europe and that only a few more steps are required to officially launch accession negotiations.

Krišto said the country's institutions have demonstrated that reforms are possible despite ongoing political challenges, adding that outstanding issues should be resolved through dialogue and agreement among domestic political representatives.

Kallas reiterated that the European Union remains committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina's European future but underlined that support must be matched by concrete action from domestic authorities.

She also confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina risks losing €108 million from the EU Growth Plan because the country has failed to submit a final Reform Agenda accepted by all levels of government. According to Kallas, the funds have not yet been permanently lost, but time is running out and reforms must be completed as soon as possible.

Addressing questions about the future of the Office of the High Representative, Kallas said discussions are underway regarding a successor to the current High Representative. She stressed that the selection process should result in a candidate acceptable to all members of the Peace Implementation Council.

The EU's top diplomat also emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order remain non-negotiable, reaffirming the European Union's continued commitment to the country's stability and European integration.