EU Commissioner warns Bosnia and Herzegovina against Republika Srpska separatism

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos began a three-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina this week with a clear message: Sarajevo must seize the momentum of accession talks to accelerate reforms and resist destabilising initiatives from the Republika Srpska entity.

The mission comes at a critical moment, ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s annual enlargement package and following the European Council’s decision in March 2024 to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commissioner framed the visit as both a show of EU support and a warning that the window of opportunity is narrowing.

Warning over Republika Srpska

At a joint press conference in Sarajevo with Borjana Krišto, Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kos underlined that while progress has been made since the Council’s historic decision, challenges remain.

“Since then, we have witnessed positive steps, including the adoption of two EU-relevant laws in January and the signing of the status agreement with Frontex in June. However, we have also witnessed challenges in the form of unconstitutional and secessionist laws and initiatives in the entity of Republika Srpska. The EU’s response has been firm and unequivocal,” Kos stressed.

The Commissioner called on domestic institutions, including the Constitutional Court and the Central Election Commission, to uphold the law, and urged the Council of Ministers to continue with reforms despite the political turbulence.

The leader of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, who maintains close ties with Moscow, has openly advocated for RS’s unification with Serbia, describing it as a “historical goal” for the Serbian people during a speech at the Herzegovinian Uprising anniversary in Nevesinje on 6 June.

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Ever since, Dodik was stripped of his presidential mandate, but has defied the decision, announcing that citizens of RS will vote in a referendum at the end of September to dismiss the court ruling against him.

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A race against the clock

Kos warned that Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot afford to lose more time before the next general elections, scheduled for October 2026. She insisted that pro-European actors must work together to deliver the conditions necessary for the first intergovernmental conference on EU accession.

“This includes the adoption of reforms to strengthen the judiciary, a new law on courts and a new law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, fully aligned with European standards, as well as the appointment of a chief negotiator to lead the compliance review process. Bosnia and Herzegovina has already lost a year and a half,” she said.

The Commissioner emphasised that submitting a credible reform plan to Brussels is crucial if the country is to benefit from the Western Balkans Growth Plan, from which neighbouring states are already drawing tangible advantages. She pointed to concrete benefits awaiting citizens, from free financial transactions with the EU to lower call prices, arguing that European integration remains the strongest guarantee of stability and prosperity.

Krišto: Reform Agenda is key

Council Chair Borjana Krišto echoed the Commissioner’s call, underlining that the adoption of the Reform Agenda is “key to the implementation of the Growth Plan and the acceleration of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path.”

“Since the appointment of Commissioner Marta Kos, we have had numerous meetings, pressures and constant communication in order to make strides on issues related to the European path and necessary reforms for Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Krišto said.

She acknowledged setbacks in the first round of government voting on the draft agenda but voiced optimism that reform measures would be adopted soon. The agenda, she added, represents not only financial support but also a broader package of reforms vital for all citizens, including infrastructure projects and improvements in living standards aimed at keeping young people in the country.

Kos’s programme includes meetings with members of the Presidency, the President of the Central Election Commission Irena Hadžiabdić, and representatives of civil society and media. She will also attend the signing ceremony for the new Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art in Sarajevo, funded through the EU4Culture programme.

The Commissioner is scheduled to open the “Critical Voices Under Pressure” conference at Europe House in Sarajevo, meet young athletes including Amel Tuka in Visoko, and visit Vareš, where the EU co-funds initiatives to strengthen trust and social cohesion in cooperation with the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

“Politics is too important to be left to politicians alone. Citizens also need to understand what the European path means. That is why I came to your beautiful country,” Kos concluded.

Sources: Siol, BGNES, Sarajevo Times

Caption: European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Borjana Krišto, Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at a joint press conference during her visit to BiH./@MartaKosEU/X