The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Becirovic, said on Friday that the opening of accession talks with the European Union was an opportunity to strengthen the state by adapting to EU standards.

Commenting on the European Council's decision to allow the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Becirovic told the press in Sarajevo that his country owed thanks to its friends in the EU, warning that his country now had a big task ahead because its legislation needed to be aligned with the Union's acquis.

N1 learns: Bosnia gets ‘green light’ for EU accession talks

“We have brought the country closer to the EU and strengthened its foreign policy position,” Becirovic said, adding that Bosnia and Herzegovina was now entering the final phase of integration into the EU.

For the sake of efficiency on that path it is necessary to introduce “zero tolerance towards all those who threaten the territorial integrity and independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said, alluding to the past actions of Bosnian Serb politicians.

Becirovic said that the enlargement process was proof of the Union's effectiveness, noting that it was in its interest to support “civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina in which civil, ethnic and religious rights make up the set of human rights.”