6th Meeting of the Parliamentary Committee for Stabilisation and Association between the EU and BiH Held in Strasbourg

In the headquarters of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the 6th meeting of the Parliamentary Committee for Stabilisation and Association between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina (SAA) was held yesterday and today, co-chaired by Davor Ivo Štier on behalf of the European Parliament and Zdenko Ćosić on behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH).

The second day of the session featured active participation from members of the PA BiH Delegation, namely Mia Karamehić Abazović, Ilija Cvitanović, Branislav Borenović, Saša Magazinović, Milan Petković, and Dženan Đonlagić, during discussions on the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, cooperation between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of migration, and the issue of the status and equality of women in the country.

A joint statement was adopted by co-chairs Štier and Ćosić, emphasising that, in these challenging times for Bosnia and Herzegovina, holding the SAPC meeting demonstrates that it is possible to distinguish between domestic political dynamics and Bosnia and Herzegovina's path towards full EU membership, which is the country's strategic goal. (You can read the text of the Joint Statement here.)

In the joint statement, it was confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made certain progress on its path to EU integration; however, it was also warned that this progress remains too slow and overly limited. The statement outlines important tasks ahead for Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the finalisation of a reform agenda that will enable the country to qualify for significant funds from the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the appointment of a chief negotiator, the establishment of negotiating structures, and the adoption of crucial laws in the judiciary—specifically regarding the courts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It was highlighted that tangible progress in these specific areas would allow the European Commission to submit a negotiating framework, which is necessary for the opening of chapters/clusters at the first Intergovernmental Conference, and there was a shared desire to achieve this as soon as possible.

In light of recent events following the ruling of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 26 February 2025, the co-chairs of the SAPC emphasised the importance of full respect for the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the independence of its judiciary, reiterating that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina are indisputable.

Emphasising that the parliamentary dimension of the accession process is crucial for connecting the European Parliament and the PA BiH through sincere and direct dialogue, the co-chairs of the SAPC agreed that the next meeting of this interparliamentary body would take place in Sarajevo in September 2025. (End)