Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2022. Once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved, Bosnia and Herzegovina can start accession negotiations.
EU membership application
Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for EU membership was submitted on 15 February 2016.
The Council adopted conclusions on the application on 20 September 2016, in which it invited the Commission to submit its opinion. In the conclusions, the Council also called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its efforts to ensure effective implementation of the reform agenda, which includes reforms in the area of rule of law and public administration.
The Commission issued its opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for EU membership in May 2019, setting out 14 key priorities for the opening of EU accession negotiations. On 10 December 2019 the Council adopted conclusions on the Commission's opinion.
In December 2022 Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted EU candidate status on the understanding that the country implements the steps specified in the Commission's 12 October 2022 communication on enlargement policy to strengthen the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, migration management and fundamental rights.
Commission opinion: Implementing key priorities
In order for EU accession negotiations to be opened, Bosnia and Herzegovina must implement 14 key priorities set out in the European Commission's opinion of May 2019 on its EU membership application, which focus on the areas of democracy and functionality of the state, the rule of law, fundamental rights and public administration reform. The opinion provides a comprehensive roadmap for reforms to guide and support the country on its path towards EU integration.
The Council welcomes the Commission's opinion and has consistently called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement the 14 key priorities and thereby advance on its European path.
In June 2022, the European Council also called on all political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to swiftly implement the commitments set out in a political agreement and to finalise the constitutional and electoral reform in line with the priorities.
- Political agreement on principles for ensuring a functional Bosnia and Herzegovina that advances on the European path, 12 June 2022
- European Council conclusions, 23-24 June 2022
In December 2022, following the recommendation to grant EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council underlined the urgency for the country to move forward on its European path, particularly via fulfilling the priorities.
Accession negotiations
On 8 November 2023, the European Commission issued a recommendation to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina when the necessary compliance with the membership criteria was achieved. In December 2023, EU leaders expressed their readiness to open accession negotiations once Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved this milestone.
In March 2024, EU leaders gave the greenlight to open accession negotiations, based on the recommendation by the Commission on 12 March 2024. To this end, they invited the Commission to prepare the negotiating framework. Once Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken all relevant steps set out in the Commission's report of 12 October 2022, they invited the Council to adopt it.
Stabilisation and association process
All Western Balkan partners have a 'stabilisation and association agreement', which sets the overall framework for their relationship with the EU. It is part of the stabilisation and association process, the EU's policy towards the Western Balkans, and is separate from the EU accession negotiations. Bosnia and Herzegovina's stabilisation and association agreement has been ratified, and it entered into force on 1 June 2015.
EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council
To review the progress of EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina relations under the stabilisation and association process, representatives from the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina meet in the EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council.
As of July 2023, there have been five EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council meetings. At the latest meeting, participants discussed EU- Bosnia and Herzegovina relations and the pre-accession process, with a focus on the political and economic criteria, EU law and pre-accession assistance.
Annual progress review
Every year, the Council adopts conclusions on enlargement and the stabilisation and association process, which take stock of progress made in each of the EU candidates and partners on their European path.
In the latest conclusions, which were adopted in December 2023, the Council welcomed the reform efforts undertaken since Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted candidate status in December 2022, but noted that the overall progress was limited and that more efforts are required to fulfil the 14 key priorities.
In this context, Bosnia and Herzegovina must undertake further constitutional and electoral reforms to ensure equality and non-discrimination of all citizens. All political actors must refrain from and renounce provocative divisive rhetoric and actions. The sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order and international personality of the country must be respected: any action against these principles will lead to serious consequences.
The Council further underlined the need to reinforce the rule of law and stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina must step up efforts to tackle corruption and organised crime and establish a track record of investigations and convictions, including at a high level. The Council called on the country to intensify reform efforts on human rights and to ensure the safety of journalists.
The Council commended Bosnia and Herzegovina’s alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, but called for full implementation of the restrictive measures, including on Russia and Belarus.
Last review: 4 May 2024