Open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Enlargement Package, which the European Commission will present today, should send an encouraging and strong signal to the candidate countries, say Paulo Rangel MEP and Željana Zovko MEP, Vice-Chairs of the EPP Group.

“The enlargement policy represents one of the European Union's most effective tools for preserving peace and safeguarding European citizens and borders. This is precisely why it is crucial to send a strong signal of support for the European aspirations of candidate countries. In this context, I call on the Commission to make a strategic decision and open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina along with Ukraine and Moldova,” urges Zovko, Vice-Chair of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

Rangel, the Parliament's negotiator for Bosnia and Herzegovina, underlines that the legitimate European aspirations of the citizens of the Western Balkans should be met whilst also identifying the individual progress and shortcomings of each candidate country.

“Since the granting of candidate status, Bosnia and Herzegovina has made concrete progress on the 14 key priorities. Building on this new, positive momentum for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans, work still needs to continue and reforms must be implemented. No backsliding is admissible on the rule of law, sovereignty, unity or the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the way ahead is clear. The Commission and the Council now have an opportunity to turn this progress into further EU integration, with the full support of the European Parliament," says Rangel.

“The stability, safety and the European future of these countries are indivisible prerequisites that complement our own security and the protection of the European way of life,” stresses Zovko.