After submitting the application for membership in February 2016, the positive signals from the last meeting of the Council of the EU are a serious turning point in the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which now can expect a questionnaire from the European Union to prepare for the status of a candidate country for membership.
On 20 September 2016 at a General Affairs meeting, the Council of the EU expressed ˝its unequivocal commitment to the EU membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union as a single, unified and sovereign state˝. The Council also welcomed the ˝significant progress made in implementing the reform program on which agreement was reached at all levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina˝.
˝Taking into account the conclusions of the Council, I believe that the referendum on the Day of Republika Srpska will not take place, nor do I consider it legitimate in view of the decision of the Constitutional Court. BiH's further path towards Europe is possible through dialogue, not through conflict,˝ concluded MEP Šuica.
Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina Dubravka Šuica expressed her satisfaction that Bosnia and Herzegovina has received a ˝green light˝ for its application for membership in the European Union. Also, MEP Šuica is pleased with the progress that Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown with regard to adaptation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement signed with the EU, and the establishment of a mechanism for coordination on matters of the EU whose effective implementation is an important step towards improving the functionality and efficiency.
If BiH successfully fills the submitted a questionnaire, the European Commission will analyse the responses while retaining the right to, if necessary, submit additional questions. Whether Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready for candidate status, but also for the next phase, negotiations on EU accession, will depend on the answers.
