Initiative for Monitoring the European Integration: Bosnia and Herzegovina risks losing an additional 108 million euros if it does not adopt the Reform Agenda.

Sarajevo, 20. September 2024 – The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina did not adopt the Reform Agenda at its last session, risking the loss of an additional 108 million euros. While countries in the region are already utilizing funds from the Growth Plan, Bosnia and Herzegovina still does not have access to the funds because domestic politicians have not agreed on the text of the Reform Agenda. Due to delays, 108.5 million euros have already been lost, and the European Union has warned that funds for Bosnia and Herzegovina will be reduced again by the same amount if the document is not adopted by the end of September 2025. .

Therefore, the Initiative for Monitoring the European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a coalition of civil society organizations, calls on parliamentary clubs in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina to request an urgent session dedicated to the country’s European path. This session should discuss the adoption of the Reform Agenda within the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the consequences its non-adoption has for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country in the Western Balkans that has not adopted the Reform Program, known publicly as the Reform Agenda, a year after the deadline, which has already led to a significant reduction in funds. The fact that even after this sanction, the Council of Ministers has not reached an agreement shows that the warnings of the European Union have not been taken seriously and that additional institutional engagement and calls for political accountability are needed. The irresponsible behavior so far directly harms citizens, further undermines Bosnia and Herzegovina’s credibility in the European integration process, and sends a negative signal to investors about the country’s stability and predictability.

The non-adoption of the Reform Agenda best illustrates the stagnation on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path. Since the approval of the negotiation status in March 2024, none of the key conditions for holding the first Intergovernmental Conference between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU have been met. Reports and conclusions from EU institutions adopted over the past year also point to stagnation and regression in many areas.

The Council of Ministers has not taken these warnings seriously, which is why parliamentarians, as directly elected representatives of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, must demonstrate political responsibility and use their competencies. Members of the Initiative call on representatives to support the initiative for an urgent session of the House of Representatives and to obligate the Council of Ministers to urgently adopt the Reform Program before the deadline for adoption and new sanctions.

European integration is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most important foreign policy goal and requires a cross-party approach. Broad support from all parliamentary clubs would be a clear signal of responsibility and readiness to continue Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path. This is an opportunity for the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ahead of Commissioner Marta Kos’s visit, to show that it has the strength to oversee the executive branch and can direct reform processes in the interest of citizens.

Initiative for Monitoring the European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Members of the Initiative:

Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevski otvoreni centar

Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Bosnia and Herzegovina

Center for Investigative Reporting

Your Rights Bosnia and Herzegovina

Citizens’ Association “Why Not”

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly of Banja Luka

Association for Democratic Initiatives

Association of BH Journalists

Youth Center KVART

Foundation CURE

MyRight

Women’s Association “Make a Difference”

Trag Foundation

Sharp zero

Roma Information Center Kali Sara

Association “Aarhus Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina”

Association “Land of Children”

TRIAL International in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Youth Initiative for Human Rights Bosnia and Herzegovina

Foreign Policy Initiative Bosnia and Herzegovina

Association “To PeeR”

Network for Building Peace

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