The European Commission invited BiH representatives to the sixth meeting of the EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Stabilization and Association Committee, which took place via video conference on June 16, reports the Vijesti.ba news agency.
The European Commission called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to take further steps to meet the 14 key priorities outlined in the conclusion. The importance of taking additional measures to strengthen the rule of law, fight corruption and organized crime was emphasized.
Among other things, the commission welcomed the holding of general elections, the rapid establishment of executive and legislative power at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s subjects and other levels of government.
The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina are invited to resume discussions on electoral and constitutional reform. The Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities are expected to prepare and adopt a program for the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the EU as soon as possible. The European Commission welcomed the advances in public administration reform, but also highlighted the need to refine the steps previously established.
The Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina underlined the commitment of Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen regional cooperation. The Commission welcomed the progress in harmonizing with EU foreign policy and urged Bosnia and Herzegovina to ratify the three regional mobility agreements that were concluded in Berlin, which are a step towards a common regional market, as well as a important preparation for participation in the EU internal market.
The Commission welcomed the steps taken to establish a national mechanism for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment and called for swift adoption of amendments to the law on the institution of the Human Rights Defender in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The European Commission deplored the lack of progress in the area of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists and called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure compliance with European standards on freedom of association and assembly.
It was pointed out that the management of the economy continues to suffer due to insufficient cooperation between the subjects and the state. The Commission urged Bosnia and Herzegovina to conduct an agricultural census and prepare for a population census.
The European Commission expressed its hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina would lift existing ones and refrain from imposing additional trade bans with the EU, and called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to step up its efforts and complete its accession to the World Trade Organization.
The 6th meeting of the EU-BiH Stabilization and Association Committee is the first meeting of this body after BiH received candidate status. The meeting was chaired by Daria Ramlak, Deputy Director of the Directorate for European Integration, and Vassilis Maragos of the European Commission co-chaired the EU part.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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