European Commission: Apart from a few positive steps, reform momentum has stalled

(Patria) - The European Commission assessed at the eighth meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Committee between the EU and BiH, held today in Sarajevo, that apart from a few positive steps, reform momentum has stalled.

The Commission called on BiH authorities to take all relevant steps from the European Commission's 2022 Recommendation and make additional efforts to fulfil the 14 key priorities from the 2019 Opinion.

The Commission welcomed the adoption of the Law on Personal Data Protection and the Law on Border Control, as well as the Integrated Border Management Strategy, which are important for fulfilling the eight steps from the Commission's 2022 Recommendation.

The signing of cooperation agreements between BiH and Frontex and Eurojust was welcomed, as well as positive steps taken through the establishment of a Contact Point for Europol.

The Commission welcomed the conduct of the Local Elections in October 2024, and BiH's continued full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and engagement in regional cooperation.

Furthermore, the European Commission called for the adoption of the Law on Courts of BiH and the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of BiH aligned with European standards and opinions of the Venice Commission, and emphasised the importance of continuing the implementation of integrity measures and the work of the Department within the HJPC for conducting proceedings based on reports.

The importance of appointing a chief negotiator and a negotiating team, preparing a state plan for the adoption of the acquis, and appointing a state coordinator for IPA was emphasised.

The European Commission called on BiH authorities to urgently appoint judges to the Constitutional Court of BiH, reminding that the decisions of the Constitutional Court are final and must be respected by all.

The Commission expects BiH authorities to adopt legislation related to the financing of political parties, as well as the implementation of constitutional and electoral reforms, particularly those related to the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

The authorities were called upon to quickly implement the Revised State Strategy for Work on War Crimes Cases.

Furthermore, they were called upon to improve coordination at all levels of government in border and migration management, as well as to improve the functioning of public administration and the fight against corruption.



The Commission emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom of speech and media, and the protection of journalists.

The BiH delegation requested support from the European Commission in resolving the issue of road transporters and professional drivers from BiH in the European Union, and announced an initiative to increase export quotas for California trout to the EU market.

The European Commission called on BiH authorities to adopt and submit the BiH Reform Plan, and it was reiterated that if the Plan is not submitted by the end of September, a reduction of the allocation by an additional 10% from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans will follow.

The Commission expects BiH to improve economic and financial management, and BiH authorities need to amend the laws on competition and state aid.

The BiH delegation informed the Commission that several important draft laws had been adopted, among which the Draft Law on the regulator, transmission and electricity market in BiH, a set of six laws related to intellectual property protection, and the Draft Law on Measurement Units in BiH are of particular importance for fulfilling obligations on the European path.

Also, several strategic documents were adopted, such as the Strategic Plan for Rural Development.

The European Commission welcomed the steps taken to eliminate the discriminatory practice of excluding certain medicines from cantonal medicine lists in four cantons of the Federation of BiH, and congratulated BiH on joining the European Alliance for Practice, as well as on launching the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) programme.

The European Commission called on BiH authorities to adopt a state-wide fisheries strategy, a science development strategy, a smart specialisation strategy, a state-wide regional development strategy, etc.

BiH authorities were also called upon to introduce a single emergency number 112, adopt a law on electronic communications, a law on electronic media, etc.

The European Commission informed that, without the BiH Reform Plan, it will not be possible to carry out the assessment of investment projects within the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), which are financed through the Reform and Development Instrument (RDF).