The letter to Brussels was well received

Mon, 03/10/2016

The EU Council has accepted Bosnia and Herzegovina's membership application. By Enis Zejnić, Relationship Manager, GSS Bosnia and Herzegovina                         

On 20 September, the Council of the EU adopted a decision to ask the European Commission to submit its opinion on the application of Bosnia and Herzegovina for membership to the EU.

Expected changes to fulfil EU membership requirements will positively impact many areas including the economy, legislation and administrative efficiency. The country´s success on the European path, the eventual accession into the EU and the expected acceleration of the privatisation process, should attract foreign investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will increase the liquidity of capital markets and positively affect their further development.

In a subsequent step, the European Commission will send a questionnaire asking for answers to queries on the country's suitability to join the EU. It will assess Bosnia's economy, compliance with human rights and the rule of law and other obligations of a member state.

The Council´s decision confirmed the European prospects of Bosnia and Herzegovina and opened the way for further success in the European integration process. In its conclusions, the Council welcomed the meaningful progress in the implementation of the reform agenda which had been agreed upon by the country´s authorities and calls on Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the Agenda, to the benefit of its citizens and in close cooperation with the European Union, international financial institutions and international partners, as well as civil society.

This should continue to include, in addition to socio-economic reforms, reforms in the area of rule of law and public administration. The Council further welcomes the initialling of the Protocol on the adaptation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and as well as the adoption of the agreement on establishing a coordination mechanism on EU matters.