Statement: OHR welcomes EU Foreign Ministers’ Decision

OHR welcomes today’s Decision by EU Foreign Ministers to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

This is a historic moment for BiH and its people, and marks a key moment in the region’s transition from stabilisation towards the EU. The symbolism of 21 November for Bosnia and Herzegovina is clear. Today’s decision underlines how far BiH has come in the ten years since the Dayton Peace Agreement.

But the speed with which BiH moves closer to the EU will depend on who quickly the country adopts and implements the reforms laid out in the SAAprocess, in particular the country’s progress in developing its legislative and administrative capacity, the implementation of police reform and public broadcasting legislation, as well as continued full cooperation with the ICTY.