SARAJEVO – After the general elections held on 4 October, the European Union expects Bosnia and Herzegovina to restore reform momentum and meet citizens’ expectations when it comes to European integration, the European Commission told Fena news agency. At the same time, the EC warns that the country, in addition to delays in opening accession negotiations, could soon face the risk of losing 373.9 million euros from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Speaking about the new authorities’ first moves after the elections to ensure BiH makes measurable progress toward the EU, the Commission reminds that the European Council decided to open accession negotiations of BiH in March 2024. This sent an important message to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, confirming the country’s European perspective.
However, more than two years after the decision, the first intergovernmental conference, which would mark the formal beginning of the negotiation process, has not yet been held. The EC told Fena that BiH should intensify its efforts to implement reforms and take all relevant steps set out in the recommendation of the European Commission from October 2022, in order to allow the Council of the EU to adopt the negotiating framework and to hold the long-awaited first intergovernmental conference.
“Among the reforms that have not yet been implemented are the adoption of the law on the courts of BiH and the law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH. The adoption of these laws, in accordance with European standards, is essential for strengthening the independence, integrity, accountability, and efficiency of the judiciary, as well as citizens’ confidence in the judicial system.
Another step that Brussels expects to be made is the appointment of the Chief Negotiator of BiH.
The EC stresses that the decision on this appointment is within the competence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that it should be made in accordance with domestic legislation and procedures.
In addition, the European Commission remarks that BiH can still receive up to 976.6 million euros from the Reform and Growth Instrument for the Western Balkans, provided that the necessary reforms are successfully implemented.
The Commission clarifies that this amount already reflects a ten percent reduction in BiH’s indicative allocation applied in 2025 due to delays, and that BiH will only be able to access the funds from the Growth Plan after these steps are fulfilled.
The EC warns that the grace period for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first 50 reform steps expires on 31 December, 2026. Without swift implementation, the country faces the permanent loss of 373.9 million euros.
The EC points out that it wants the citizens of BiH to fully use the opportunities provided by the Growth Plan, which should, at the same time, help the country progress on the European path.
