WIREDGOV

Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership today. Minister Koenders received the application on behalf of the EU member states in his capacity of Presidency of the Council.

Minister Koenders welcomed the European aspirations of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the adoption of the Reform Agenda and its accompanying Action Plan last year. While commending the encouraging start made in implementing an ambitious reform agenda, Minister Koenders urged the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities to maintain positive momentum by continuing to implement the necessary reforms, engage  with civil society and consolidate progress.

The Council Conclusions of December 2015 reinforce Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective and outline that meaningful progress in the implementation of the Reform Agenda is necessary for the EU to consider a membership application from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Progress on the adaptation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement following the accession of Croatia and a functioning coordination mechanism on EU matters are important for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards EU accession.

The General Affairs Council will revert to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU membership application in due course as a result of meaningful progress in the implementation of the Reform Agenda. The Presidency invites Bosnia and Herzegovina to deliver concrete and irreversible results in the reform process.