EU-BiH Stabilisation and Association Committee: Submit reform agenda, adopt laws, step up fight against corruption

(Patria) - The seventh meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Committee (SA Committee) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union was held in Brussels on 19 September 2024. The meeting was co-chaired on the EU side by Ms Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans, and Ms Barbara Jésus-Gimeno, Head of the Unit for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo at the Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, and on the side of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Ms Elvira Habota, Director of the Directorate for European Integration of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The SA Committee reviewed the most important developments according to political and economic criteria. Following the concrete results achieved by Bosnia and Herzegovina, as outlined in the Commission's report, and the subsequent decision of the European Council in March 2024 to open accession negotiations, Bosnia and Herzegovina must resolutely advance in implementing reforms in line with EU rules and standards and the key priorities from the Opinion, and take all relevant steps set out in the 2022 recommendation, so that the Council can adopt the negotiating framework. The Commission will report on progress and provide recommendations in the upcoming enlargement package.

The Commission reiterated its call for Bosnia and Herzegovina to finalise the National Plan for the Adoption of the EU Acquis (NPAA) and called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to appoint an operational chief negotiator and negotiating structures for the purposes of explanatory meetings on the EU acquis.

Following the adoption of the Reform and Growth Instrument for the Western Balkans, the Commission called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to overcome disagreements for the benefit of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to submit an ambitious reform agenda without further delay. The Commission recalled that the first payment can only occur after the reform agenda is submitted and formally agreed upon by the European Commission and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission reiterated that it will continue to provide support to the authorities in finalising this work, as needed. The Commission also called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its engagement in the economic reform process with the aim of addressing structural socio-economic issues.

The Commission reiterated the need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt reforms to strengthen the rule of law, including new laws on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the courts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to make progress in the fight against organised crime and corruption, the protection of fundamental rights, and the management of migration and access to asylum, pending the upcoming conclusion of negotiations on a Status Agreement with Frontex.

The Commission reviewed the alignment of Bosnia and Herzegovina's legislation with the EU acquis in the areas covered by the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). Regarding trade, the Commission expressed regret over the cancellation of the 7th Subcommittee on Trade, Industry, Customs and Taxation (TICT) and called for ensuring effective policy dialogue within the SAA framework. The Commission called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to accelerate the digital and green transition, connectivity measures and infrastructure investments, as well as alignment with the acquis on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions, network and information security, and environment and climate, in line with the Digital and Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

The implementation of EU financial assistance was also discussed. The Commission called for the urgent appointment of a National IPA Coordinator in line with the IPA III financial framework.

The Commission and Bosnia and Herzegovina agreed on the agenda for the next 8th cycle of sectoral subcommittee meetings under the SAA, to be held in 2024/2025.