Almost seven years have passed since the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina officially applied to join the European Union in February 2016. Community Manager not identified until 2019 fourteen priorities that the country must meet before it can be granted candidate status. Three years after this milestone Brussels decided to dive. “Giving candidate status is a European offer to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We do this for people but this comes with great expectations. “We hope that after the general elections on 2 October, legislators and other state institutions will focus on reforms for the EU,” he said. Olivier Varhely, who thinks it’s possible for a decision to be taken by European leaders in December.
Even if the Sarajevo authorities win the support of European leaders by the end of the year, The country will need to fulfill a long list of requirements before officially starting negotiations. for EU accession. To get to this point, Varhely explained that Bosnia and Herzegovina had to “urgently” adopt reforms that would guarantee the integrity of the Supreme Council of Justice, laws guaranteeing the independence of the prosecution, the law on courts and laws on conflicts of interest, and to fight corruption and organized crime. “decisive decisions”.
Brussels also demands guarantees of “real coordination” at borders and the proper functioning of the asylum system, measures to prevent torture, guaranteeing freedom of expression in the media and the protection of journalists, including judicial proceedings, and the smooth functioning of the coordination mechanism in European affairs. “this European Commission willing to be a reliable partner on this road” but “14 priorities remain the same and are non-negotiable. Bosnia and Herzegovina must meet all these criteria before starting accession negotiations with us,” he recalled.
seven reports
The decision is part of the so-called enlargement package, an annual study in which the European Commission evaluates the EU. Western Balkan countries and Turkey’s progress towards the European Union and after Russian aggression it becomes relevant again. Enlargement policy is a geostrategic investment in the peace, stability, security and socio-economic growth of our continent of Europe. There is no other alternative and it is in our common interest to accelerate the integration process, starting with the Western Balkans, where we have invested for many years to bring them closer to the EU,” he said. Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.
In the case of Albania and North Macedonia, The two countries opened a new stage in their relations With the EU last July, after the first intergovernmental conferences on accession negotiations were held. Brussels believes that both countries should continue to intensify their efforts in key areas such as the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime. In the Albanian case, it also has to address property rights, minority issues and freedom of expression.
Montenegro’s to-do list includes rule of law and critical freedom of expression issues, media freedom, the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as the credibility of the judiciary. This requires political stability and constructive participation from all stakeholders, leading to the establishment of a stable government and broad political consensus in Parliament on key reforms.
To Serbia, on his behalf, Brussels Recommends the formation of a government firmly committed to the EU’s strategic direction and reforms “as a priority”. “It is necessary to continue to work and to undertake political commitment to continue and deepen reforms and address deficiencies, especially in key areas of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organized crime, freedom of the press, freedom of the press, and the judiciary. assembly and the internal treatment of war crimes”, warns the Commission.
Although no reference is made to the links between Belgrade and Moscow, Brussels also demands that Serbian authorities better adapt to the EU’s foreign and security policy (the country does not impose European sanctions, for example), because it is significantly reduced and is at war. It is against any kind of disinformation. A Kosovo For its part, it asks you to intensify your efforts to strengthen democracy, public administration, the rule of law and the fight against corruption. The Commission continues its assessment that, in July 2018, Kosovo met all visa liberalization criteria and that the proposal still pending decision in the Council needs urgent consideration.
Turkey’s role
about diagnosis Turkey still much more difficult. Brussels condemns Ankara negative trend in matters democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights. “Turkey should address the weakening of effective checks and balances in the political system and reverse the negative trend as a priority,” Brussels said. stalled membership process. The Commission also warns that the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean is “getting more tense” and urges Ankara to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU Member States, including Cyprus and Greece.
condemned in Brussels Tayyip Erdogan government its ongoing policy of non-compliance with restrictive measures against RussiaA position it considers “worrying” because of the free movement of products, including dual-use products, within the EU-Turkey Customs Union. “The current geopolitical challenges make closer cooperation with Turkey more meaningful” because “they play a key role as intermediaries between Russia and Ukraine,” Varhely admitted.