According to the European Commission press office and different media, on Tuesday, October 14, President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen continued her official visit to the Western Balkans in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Serbia.
Von der Leyen come to BiH after the BiH Council of Ministers adopted the Reform Agenda document from the Western Balkans Growth Plan. Earlier, the European Commission confirmed that the Commission will assess the received Reform Agenda and, after it is agreed with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, present it to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.
In her statement with Chairwoman of Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers Boriana Krišto, President of the EC Von der Leyen has pointed out following special messages:
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has come a long way and standing at the threshold of the European Union. A year and a half ago, the European Council took the historic decision to open accession negotiations. This was a milestone to be proud of. And it was the result of hard work and efforts made by all institutions”.
But it is absolutely worth to do the next steps on the European side and on B&H side, because the Growth Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina is nearly EUR 1, said von der Leyen. The priority is to hold the first intergovernmental conference. To pave the way for this, B&H needs to pass the right reforms in the field of the judiciary. And most importantly, a chief negotiator must be appointed to steer the accession negotiations. That person needs all of government trust, because these negotiations demand focus, perseverance, and above all, unity, and with a chief negotiator the European Commission can immediately start the work that has to be done.
After the meeting with the Serbian President Alexander Vučić, von der Leyen pointed out following messages:
She has taken the energy crisis of 2022, triggered by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, that had a devastating impact across the entire European continent. But the EU extended the same measures of solidarity to its Western Balkan partners as to its own Member States.
“We are connecting Serbia to the EU’s energy market. This is the true guarantee that Serbian families will be safe and warm in winter. We have concrete projects in motion. The Trans-Balkan Power Corridor, for example, linking Serbia’s grid with its neighbours and with the EU. And the Serbia–Bulgaria gas interconnector. And we are prepared to invest further in it. We also invited Serbia to join the EU’s joint gas procurement mechanism. Together we are using our collective market power to secure better energy prices”, insisted VDL.
Von der Leyen also said that now is the moment for Serbia to get concrete about joining our Union. Therefore, the EU needs to see progress, on the rule of law, the electoral framework and media freedom. These reforms are not easy. They take patience and endurance.
“This is why I am inviting you to Brussels to take stock together in a month from now. The EU needs also to see greater alignment with its foreign policy, including on sanctions against Russia. I commend you for reaching 61% of alignment with our foreign policy. But more is needed. We want to count on Serbia as a reliable partner.“
Under the Growth Plan the EU is also working on Serbia’s integration into the Single Euro Payments Area. This will make transfers of money between Serbia and the EU faster, safer, and much cheaper. It will have a real impact on businesses and on Serbian citizens – many of whom live and work in EU Member States.
Comments: On September 30 this year, BiH submitted to the EC the final version of the Reform Agenda, a strategic document that is a prerequisite for accessing funds from the Western Balkans Growth Plan – a six-billion-euro European Union program. These funds, available through grants and soft loans, are intended for countries that demonstrate readiness for deep reforms in line with European standards. The agenda is structured according to the EU Regulation and includes four thematic pillars – green and digital transition, business environment, human capital, and fundamental rights and the rule of law.
In the statement of the President of the EC we see a very inclusive and familiar (Dear Boriana) tone, encouraging leaders of B&H to continue to follow the EU instructions. It seems that very soon the European Commission will propose to have with B&H first IGC for enlargement.
In Belgrade the ton of the statement of VDL was also inclusive and supportive for the Serbian President, but it was a very clear distance (Dear mister President). But on the other side VDL invited Alexandar Vučić in Brussels to discuss the follow of the process, which is very clear personal support for the Serbian President.
