Sittings · Document
Follow-up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rapporteur: Ondřej KOLÁŘ (EPP / CZ)
References: 2025/2018(INI) / A10-0108/2025 / P10_TA(2025)0156
Date of adoption of the resolution: 9 July 2025
Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
The report expresses support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) EU path and emphasises the need for fundamental reforms, particularly in strengthening democracy and the rule of law. It urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to cooperate more closely with the EU on fighting organised crime and to promote and safeguard the human rights of all minorities and protection of vulnerable groups. The report expresses clear concerns about developments in the Republika Srpska entity, condemning repeated use of inflammatory rhetoric and the adoption of secessionist laws and policies. It calls for a recalibration of the EU’s strategy and a decisive response including restrictive measures and support from European Union Force in BiH (EUFOR) Althea. The report condemns obstructionist behaviour and discourages engagement with those undermining the constitutional order.
The report highlights external threats from third countries and highlights the importance of full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). It stresses the importance of energy diversification, regional cooperation, war crimes prosecution, and legal reforms to protect victims’ rights. It welcomes developments on the Reform Agenda under the Growth Plan and calls for its swift adoption. It argues that EU funding for projects in the Republika Srpska entity should remain frozen and urges the swift appointment of a national coordinator for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) III (NIPAC).
Response to requests and overview of action taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
On paragraph 6, the EU maintains the possibility to impose sanctions on actors that undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order and international personality of Bosnia and Herzegovina; seriously threaten the security situation in the country; or undermine the Dayton/Paris General Framework Agreement for Peace, as well as persons associated with them. . Such a decision requires unanimity of all Member States.
On paragraph 7, EUFOR Althea has the executive mandate (under UN Charter chapter 7) to provide deterrence, continued compliance with the responsibility to fulfil the role specified in Annexes 1.A and 2 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace and to contribute to a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU stresses that the sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order and international personality of Bosnia and Herzegovina need to be respected. The EU has confidence in the implementation of the rule of law by the relevant judicial and law enforcement authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On paragraph 9, the Commission welcomes the support for the EU path of Bosnia and Herzegovina and underlines that the EU’s message to the country continues to be clear: the EU’s door is open.
This requires first and foremost Republika Srpska leadership de-escalating and the coalition reshuffle being completed, with a view to returning to deliver on EU-reforms.
In this respect, Bosnia and Herzegovina should take all relevant steps set out in the Commission's 2022 recommendation, in view of the adoption of the negotiating framework by the Council of the EU once these conditions are met. This entails, among others, adopting pending judicial reforms (Law on Courts, Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council) fully in line with the Venice Commission recommendations, appointing a Chief Negotiator and finalising a national programme for the adoption of the EU acquis (NPAA). Bosnia and Herzegovina also needs to urgently finalise and submit their Reform Agenda, to benefit from the country’s allocation under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Delivering on all relevant steps should lead to the opening of accession negotiations and holding of the long awaited first inter-governmental Conference, in line with the EU Council conclusions of March 2024.
On paragraph 21, further efforts are needed in fulfilling the fourteen key priorities set out in the Commission’s 2019 Opinion. Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to adopt constitutional and electoral reforms to ensure that all citizens are able to effectively exercise their political rights, notably to align the Constitution with the Sejdić-Finci case law of the European Court of Human Rights (Opinion key priority 4.f). The upcoming EU accession negotiations will provide the framework to address these fundamental issues of functioning of democratic institutions.
On paragraph 42, regarding the political situation and developments in the Republika Srpska entity, the EU has been clear, including through repeated statements by the Spokesperson, that political actors should de-escalate and focus on delivering reforms on the EU path. The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina suspended (in March 2025) and later repealed (in late May 2025) all legal acts adopted by the Republika Srpska entity assembly on 27 February 2025. The Republika Srpska entity leadership must respect the decision of the Constitutional Court, acknowledge its independence and impartiality, and refrain from any action that may deepen divisions and increase political tensions.
The criminal penalties for defamation in the Republika Srpska entity continue to severely impact the environment for civil society and restrict freedom of expression and media freedom and to have a chilling effect on media freedom; defamation is yet to be decriminalised across the country.
The EU maintains the possibility to impose sanctions (paragraph 6) on actors that undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order and international personality of Bosnia and Herzegovina; seriously threaten the security situation in the country; or undermine the Dayton/Paris General Framework Agreement for Peace, as well as persons associated with them. Such a decision requires unanimity of all EU Member States.
On paragraph 49 and 50, reconciliation remains a key element of the Western Balkan partner’s EU paths. The Commission expects Bosnia and Herzegovina to act in a sovereign manner to promote an environment conducive to reconciliation to overcome the legacies of the war. The “Empowering Trust and Cohesion in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Communities” project supported by the EU, UN, OSCE, and Council of Europe (Možemo bolje) is one example of a project aimed at promoting an environment conducive to genuine reconciliation.
On paragraph 59, the Commission welcomes the political agreement found by the Council of Ministers ahead of the Western Balkans Leaders' meeting in Skopje of 1 July 2025, looks forward to the submission of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Reform Agenda without further delay, and will assess it in view of its agreement, once it receives it, as for all other partners.
As regards the two infrastructural investments located in the Republika Srpska entity (Corridor Vc road and rail), as indicated in early 2022, the Commission intends to proceed with the signature of the contribution agreements only after the end of the political crisis, with the return to the full functioning of state institution.
On paragraph 60, regarding conditionality of EU funds, the Commission continuously monitors the effective absorption of financial and technical support in the country to ensure their support for democratic and judiciary reforms in the country. 43.97% of IPA III funds for the years 2021-2024 were dedicated to the ‘fundamentals’ of EU accession – good governance, rule of law and human rights. In case of significant regression or persistent lack of progress in areas related to the rule of law and fundamental rights, democratic institutions and public administration reforms, as well as economic development and competitiveness, the conditionality principle enshrined in the IPA III regulation can be used.
On paragraph 65, the Commission continues to advocate that Bosnia and Herzegovina ensures meaningful and systematic consultations with civil society as part of an inclusive policy dialogue and adopt a framework for the transparent funding of civil society organisations, thus ensuring an enabling environment for civil society. The Commission continues to recommend removing all barriers to a single economic space for workers and businesses within Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to ensure access to healthcare for all, in particular the most vulnerable categories, also harmonising eligibility criteria, rights and standards of social protection across the country.