Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union
- European Union
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has like all states of the so-called EU "Western Balkans" a European perspective, ie the prospect of one day joining the European Union. Bosnia and Herzegovina is considered since the European Council of Santa Maria da Feira in June 2000 as a " potential candidate ".
EU - Bosnia and Herzegovina relations
The Council of the European Union has underlined the EU's commitment to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina again on October 25, 2010. The Council pleaded simultaneously " unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign and united country. "
Besides Kosovo Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country in the Western Balkans, which has not yet submitted an application for EU membership. The Council of the European Union in December 2009 stressed that " it is an application for membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina can not check, as long as no decision on a transition from the OHR is taken to a reinforced EU presence. "
The EU supports the EU pre-accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina by an EU Special Representative. The office has been held since 26 March 2009, the Austrian Valentin Inzko. He is also High Representative of the international community.
To stabilize Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union deploys since 2004, the military mission Operation Althea. In addition, since 2003 there is the EU police mission EUPM.
Stabilisation and Association Process
Bosnia and Herzegovina is included in the stabilization and association process since November 2000. It serves the gradual pre- all States of the region to the European Union. The EU discussed since 2006 under the Reform Process Monitoring (RPM) on a regular basis the progress of reforms in the country.
The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina was signed after three years of negotiation period on 16 June 2008. It must be ratified its entry into force by all signatory States and the European Union. An Interim Agreement entered into force on 1 July 2008. It contains mainly trade regulations.
Reform state
The European Partnership sets short-and medium-term reform priorities. The last European Partnership between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted in February 2008 under the Slovenian EU Presidency.
The Council of the European Union remained concerned in its conclusions of December 2009 " on the development of the political situation and calls for Bosnia and Herzegovina to speed up key reforms. Is needed for further progress, that policy makers have the same ideas about the common future of the country and the political will exists to meet the needs of European integration. "
In its annual progress reports, the European Commission gives details of the reform of state in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The last progress report in November 2010 placed Bosnia and Herzegovina from a rather critical reform testimony. He criticized the slow progress and urged the country to press on with reforms in key areas.
The Council of the European Union presented in December 2009 determined mainly that Bosnia and Herzegovina a constitutional amendment " in attacking [ needs ] to create a functioning state and align its constitutional framework with the European Convention on Human Rights. The country must in particular be able to take over the EU legislation, implement and enforce. These reforms would help to further EU integration of the country. "
The Council of the European Union stressed on October 25, 2010 in its conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Financial support
Under the EU 's Instrument for Pre -Accession Assistance ( IPA) Bosnia and Herzegovina is to receive from 2008 to 2012 around 488 million euros to support the EU pre-accession for years. 2010 IPA funds in the amount of 105.4 million euros are planned for Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, the EU finance ministers decided that Bosnia and Herzegovina should receive 2010 EU macro -financial assistance in the amount of 100 million euros. Macro-financial assistance is linked to the ongoing support of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF).
Visa exemption
On 1 January 2008, entered into force between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, a visa facilitation agreement and readmission agreements. Since May 2008, the European Union is negotiating with the country on the visa waiver.
The European Commission has certified Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2010 that it now meets all the requirements for a visa exemption and proposed exemption from the visa requirement. It applies to tourist stays in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in half. The inclusion of a work is not permitted. Only nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have a biometric passport should be able to visa -free travel.
The European Parliament has approved the recommendation of the Commission on October 7, 2010. The final decision was held on 8 November 2010 by European foreign ministers, which frees the state since December 15, 2010 by the visa requirement.