European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated today in Sarajevo that the European Union's (EU) response to new "challenges with unconstitutional and secessionist legislation and initiatives adopted in the entity of Republika Srpska (RS)" was "firm and unequivocal".
At a press conference after talks with the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Borjana Krišto, Kos emphasized that institutions, including the Constitutional Court and the Central Election Commission, must be respected and called on the Council of Ministers of BiH to immediately restart the implementation of reforms.
"Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to get back on the path to the EU. The country cannot afford to waste any more time," said Kos, who began a three-day visit to BiH today.
"BiH has already lost a year. Now I urge that no more time be wasted. EU membership would improve the quality of life of citizens, especially young people, who would then rather stay than leave. We still see BiH in membership, and as a whole country," Kos said.
Kos also recalled BiH's recent "positive steps", mentioning the adoption of two relevant EU laws in January and the signing of the agreement on the status of Frontex in June, but warned that these developments will not be enough without the continuation of the reform process.
Kos singled out strengthening the judiciary, adopting a new law on courts and a new law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in line with European standards, as well as appointing a chief negotiator with the EU as a priority.
Kos called on all pro-European political actors to come together to achieve concrete results and enable the first intergovernmental conference. She stressed that BiH urgently needs to finalize and submit its reform program to the Commission.
She also recalled the opportunities provided by the Western Balkans Growth Plan, emphasizing that other countries are already receiving payments and that the citizens of BiH can also benefit directly, if the Reform Agenda is implemented.
At a joint press conference, Kristo said the meeting was constructive and focused on reforms.
"We discussed what the Council of Ministers has already done, but also the implementation of the reforms that lie ahead. As soon as we adopt the reform agenda, we will inform the European Commission and Marta Kos. This, of course, is not the end - we continue to work.... It is clear what needs to be done, and it all depends on political will," said Krišto.
Kos previously met today with the Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović, while the Serb and Croat members Željka Cvijanović and Željko Komšić did not attend the meeting.
During his three-day visit to BiH, Kos will also talk with the President of the Central Election Commission of BiH Irena Hadžiabdić, address the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, and meet with representatives of civil society organizations and the media.
The visit of European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is taking place amid the blockade of state institutions in BiH and the constitutional crisis in Republika Srpska, after a final verdict stripped Milorad Dodik of his mandate as President of the RS.
In March 2024, BiH received the green light for talks on full membership in the EU, but with the prior fulfillment of a number of conditions.
Among them are harmonization with EU foreign policy, which means BiH sanctions against Russia - which are opposed by representatives of the RS, or visas for citizens of Turkey and Arab countries - which are opposed by the ruling party from the Federation of BiH.
The conditions include the elimination of constitutional ethnic-territorial discrimination in the election of members of the Presidency of BiH, the reform of the State Criminal Court of BiH and the Constitutional Court of BiH.
The EU announced that without a clear reform plan and its implementation, BiH will not receive a single euro in grants or soft loans.
The first 108 million, out of about a billion euros intended for BiH, was redirected to other countries this summer.
In October, BiH could lose about the same amount of money, and the European Commission has said that the funds are intended for those who are making progress, not those who are standing still or regressing.
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