Obtaining candidate status for membership in the European Union after decades of obstacles and uncertainties is undoubtedly an important achievement for both Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the EU. However, examining the steps towards full EU membership would be incomplete without examining the wider context, particularly the country’s relations with its neighbors.
If this part of Europe demonstrates the willingness to use its geopolitical, geoeconomic and geocultural comparative advantages wisely, then it could become a mediator that truly connects Europe and Asia, Central Europe and the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the black region. Maritime areas. To take on such a constructive role, we must look to the future and learn lessons from the recent past. This involves, among other things, a new approach based on values such as human rights, the rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance.
Given the determination of the relevant institutions, the high degree of political consensus and the clear public support for its EU integration, it is clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina has waited too long to obtain candidate status.
On the European path
The 2003 EU-Western Balkans summit in Thessaloniki held great promise for the region, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was then that the EU confirmed its unequivocal support for the European future of the Western Balkan countries by adopting by the European Council “The Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans: towards European integration”. It is interesting to note that Bosnia and Herzegovina, which then had the status of a potential candidate, was on the side of the Republic of Croatia. However, due to numerous internal and external factors that blocked the reform process, Bosnia and Herzegovina only signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement in 2008 and officially applied for EU membership in 2016.
The main people responsible for the current obstacles and blockages on the European and Euro-Atlantic path of Bosnia-Herzegovina are national “anti-Europeans”. They ignore possible EU membership, aware that future civilizational processes will require them to respect the rules and standards imposed by the EU legislative environment. They understand that they will then have to give a chance to other forces on the political scene.
The transformation of Bosnia and Herzegovina into a stable, peaceful and reliable state is closely linked to stronger EU engagement.
Furthermore, it is important that the EU does not make further mistakes with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the past decade, the lenient policies towards destructive politicians who openly threatened the Dayton Peace Accord and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the hesitation and refusal to sanction radical politicians who threatened peace in the country and the region, were among the biggest mistakes made by the EU. has committed.
If the EU had acted more decisively over the past ten years, Bosnia and Herzegovina would have been spared many crises. Procrastination, hesitation and indecision have only encouraged separatist and pro-Russian forces to openly undermine fundamental European values. The EU should never again behave weakly and indecisively towards our country. The transformation of Bosnia and Herzegovina into a stable, peaceful and reliable state is closely linked to stronger EU engagement.
It is precisely because of this impasse that particular importance is given to the status of candidate country, which has given new hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will definitively and irreversibly position itself on the European path charted twenty years ago , despite constant obstacles.
Emerging Benefits
Given the complete change in geopolitical circumstances since February 24, 2022, the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina have little choice or time at their disposal. It is evident that geopolitical and security aspects, as well as an obvious change in the European security architecture, have significantly influenced the EU’s attitude regarding the intensification of integration processes. The decision to grant candidate country status is a step forward, but at the same time it constitutes a great responsibility and a major challenge for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its institutions.
We must not lose sight of the fact that candidate status has many advantages for the country. Above all, any example of external integration also represents progress on the internal political level – as well as an incentive to continue on the European path. This is a sign that Bosnia and Herzegovina has the political potential and can move towards a European future.
EU candidate country status constitutes a new platform which offers additional opportunities, but also creates new challenges to be tackled together.
Second, the consequences of this decision mean that the country is moving legally and formally closer to joining the EU. EU candidate country status constitutes a new platform which offers additional opportunities, but also creates new challenges to be tackled together. Overcoming these challenges will allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to rank among the family of developed European states.
In addition to the political advantages of candidate country status, the state and its citizens will also benefit from additional financial possibilities. Although obtaining new funds for the candidate country is not guaranteed, many advantages are activated; mainly IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) funds, but also other tools intended to support a wide range of reforms in the candidate country concerned. The concrete increase in European funds will depend solely on the capabilities of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s institutions: firstly, the ability to maximize the opportunities of candidate country status and, secondly, the ability to implement reforms as quickly as possible.
These two processes are directly linked: further implementation of reforms leads to more effective institutions, which automatically opens up greater possibilities for using EU support, as well as foreign direct investment. This would create a more stable political and security environment, more attractive for economic investments.
A serious obligation
The above arguments clearly indicate that the status of candidate country is an important event for Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, optimism is only justified if it is accepted as a serious obligation. It is crucial to know what lies ahead and clearly set priority tasks and deadlines. Meeting the priorities of the European Commission remains imperative. The reforms called for in the above-mentioned document constitute the first prerequisite for creating the necessary conditions for launching accession negotiations. The next task is to determine a date for the start of negotiations which will be a direct indicator of real progress towards membership and a concrete achievement for Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of European integration. Taking into account the above, the greatest burden will fall precisely on the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will act in accordance with European requirements on the one hand, but inevitably also under the influence of political parties, on the other hand. It is therefore important to note that meeting stipulated obligations will require rallying around state interests in favor of European integration, rather than narrow party interests. This would involve a significant change in the entire operating system, which must be much faster and more efficient in the future.
Bosnia and Herzegovina should also establish a state strategy and integration program and, with political will, responsibly approach reform processes and the adoption of the European acquis.
A responsible approach to these obligations involves the adoption of reforms. In practice, this also requires the adoption and implementation of the necessary strategies. In this context, it is essential to remove political obstacles to more effective action aimed at establishing a single body that would take care of this process and be the “one true voice” of Bosnia and Herzegovina on this path. There is a clear need for the formation of new state ministries responsible for implementing key EU policies such as agriculture, health, education and European integration.
Bosnia and Herzegovina should also establish a state strategy and integration program and, with political will, responsibly approach reform processes and the adoption of the European acquis.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accelerated progress towards full EU membership means not only a stronger economic bond, but also the building of a new type of solidarity based on shared values and beliefs, which constitute the the essence of European identity. Bosnia and Herzegovina finds itself at a crossroads, facing the option of either being pushed into dangerous isolation or overcoming the government’s disastrous ethnocratic model and creating the conditions for stronger integration within the European community.
The EU is our destiny. Democracy and the standard of living of the citizens of our country will largely depend on the speed and quality of this will. It is time to learn lessons, correct our mistakes and move forward resolutely. Onward to the EU! Onward to NATO!