The column written by Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation and Special Representative of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, brings a clear signal from Brussels: the European Union is entering a new phase of enlargement, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a key test of its political will and institutional maturity.
After more than a decade of stagnation, enlargement is once again at the top of the European agenda, driven by global changes and the need to preserve stability on the continent. In this context, BiH is receiving an opportunity it has not had for a long time - but also a warning that without concrete reforms, progress will not be possible. It is precisely this turning point, the current messages from European leaders, and what lies ahead for a country that has not yet opened negotiations, that Soreca discusses in his analytical column, which we reproduce in full:
"The European Union is, for the first time in more than ten years, seriously preparing for a new wave of enlargement.
There is a real possibility that, in the coming years, the Union will admit new member states, and the geopolitical changes and the need to strengthen peace and stability in Europe have made enlargement one of the EU’s key priorities.
This is confirmed by recent visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina by high-level EU delegations, including President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa, Vice-President and High Representative Kaja Kallas, and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.
While some Western Balkan countries are making rapid progress - Montenegro aims to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026, and Albania by the end of 2027 - Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet even opened negotiations, despite the great opportunities and potential it possesses.
Report on BiH: positive steps, but insufficient progress
The latest EU Enlargement Package's report on Bosnia and Herzegovina highlights several important developments: the adoption of laws on data protection and border control, as well as the signing of the agreement with Frontex, enabling the deployment of more than one hundred members of Frontex’s permanent corps in BiH.
Nevertheless, the overall assessment for 2025 clearly shows that progress is minimal.
The Report should serve as a detailed roadmap that can help BiH catch up on what has been missed. There are indications that in the coming period BiH may adopt the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and the Law on Courts, as well as appoint a chief negotiator and a negotiating team. This would open the door to holding the first Intergovernmental Conference and officially starting the negotiations.
Negotiations must be based on results
As Vice-President Kallas emphasised, EU accession remains a fair but demanding process, grounded solely in progress achieved. The laws on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and on courts must be fully aligned with EU standards and the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
Regarding the appointment of the chief negotiator and the team, this is a decision that Bosnia and Herzegovina must make independently, in accordance with its Constitution and laws.
The EU expects to have a reliable interlocutor - a team that speaks with one voice and possesses all the capacities required to conduct a serious and efficient negotiation process.
If all conditions are met, the first Intergovernmental Conference could be held by the end of 2025. The EU warns that delays during 2026 would mean the loss of valuable time, especially while other countries in the region are making key steps towards membership.
More functional institutions are needed
The complex constitutional structure of BiH requires constant harmonisation of often opposing political positions. This slows down decision-making. It is therefore essential to strengthen institutions so that decisions can be made more quickly and efficiently.
The EU wishes to encourage the start of negotiations precisely because the negotiation process itself enables a detailed, structured analysis of the functioning of the state, with EU expertise. The new methodology of clusters and chapters provides the best framework for strengthening democratic institutions and BiH’s governance capacities.
Only a few more steps to the start of negotiations
By adopting the reform agenda for the implementation of the Growth Plan in September, BiH demonstrated that joint decisions are indeed possible when political will exists. Only a few key steps remain before negotiations can officially begin, and these steps could have a deeply transformative impact on the functioning of institutions. Now is the right moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina to take that step forward."
(EUpravo zato/eeas.europa.eu)
