Krišto with EU officials on the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Patria) - BiH Council of Ministers Chairperson Borjana Krišto discussed the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina today in Brussels with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

The meeting was held ahead of the 5th Stabilization and Association Council meeting between BiH and the EU.

Krišto stated that granting candidate status to our country is a significant step forward that gives a new dimension to BiH-EU relations and serves as motivation for maximum engagement of institutions responsible for European integration issues. She emphasized that the BiH Council of Ministers is doing everything within its competencies to fulfill the 14 priorities from the European Commission's Opinion. She added that BiH's European path has no alternative and that all levels of government are actively implementing reforms to accelerate integration processes.

She highlighted the importance of close cooperation and coordination between the countries of the region and the European Union on these issues, as the problems that arise largely exceed the technical and financial capabilities of individual states. She added that
Bosnia and Herzegovina, through its foreign policy, follows the EU's foreign and security policy.

During the meeting, the unanimous adoption of two agreements from the Berlin Process by the BiH Presidency yesterday was welcomed. It was emphasized that an open, constructive, and partnership-based political dialogue between BiH institutions and officials, on the one hand, and the institutions and officials of the European Union and its member states, on the other hand, is indeed the key element for strengthening and improving relations.

Krišto emphasized that she expects Bosnia and Herzegovina to open membership negotiations by the end of 2023. She stated that BiH's progress and improvement largely depend on strengthening and improving mutual trust, internal dialogue, and consensus among the legitimate political representatives of the constituent peoples on the most important internal political issues related to the implementation of decisions of the BiH Constitutional Court and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, which will require limited amendments to the BiH Constitution and election legislation.
Immediately before the meeting with EU High Representative Borrell, Chairperson Krišto also met with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, with whom she discussed EU integration and regional issues.