Sarajevo – During a three-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec, representing the left-leaning Socialists and Democrats (S&D), urged the Council of Ministers in Sarajevo to promptly adopt the reform agenda. This action is necessary to secure funding from the European instrument for reforms and growth aimed at the Western Balkans, as stated by his office.
The Council of Ministers of BiH has yet to approve the reform plan, a crucial step to accessing approximately one billion euros in European funds. The European Union’s second deadline for this approval, which is vital for disbursing funds from the EU economic growth initiative for the Western Balkans, is set for September 30. Failing to submit the reform plan to Brussels by this date will result in Bosnia and Herzegovina missing out on an additional 108 million euros. The European Commission already reduced the earmarked amount for BiH by ten percent, or 108.5 million euros, due to delays in July.
Nemec, who leads the six-member European Parliament delegation, reiterated these concerns today. “I do not want this to happen again at the end of the month,” he stated.
He believes that the resolution of the political stalemate and the broader social crisis in BiH hinges entirely on the country’s full membership in the European Union. He added that the sooner BiH and the entire Western Balkans region join the EU, the greater the investment in collective security, stability, peace, and progress. (September 18)
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