Bosnia and Herzegovina granted EU candidate status

The heads of state and government of the European Union have decided to present Bosnia and Herzegovina with the status of a candidate for EU membership. This was announced on Twitter by the press secretary of the President of the European Council Barend Leyts.

“At the EU summit, a decision was made to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he wrote.

Leith also released the text of the EU summit statement following the meeting. It is noted that the European Council approved the conclusions of the EU Council of December 13 on the enlargement process and agreed to approve the status of the EU candidate for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership on February 16, 2022. On October 12, the European Commission recommended that EU member states grant the country candidate status. It was clarified that for this the country must take steps to “strengthen democracy, the functioning of state institutions, the rule of law, strengthen the fight against corruption and organized crime, ensure guarantees for media freedom and manage migration in the country.”

December 6 Bloomberg wrotethat such a status for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the leaders of the EU countries can approve at the summit in Brussels on 15 December.

In addition, Ukraine and Moldova received the status of candidates for EU membership in June. Georgia also claims this status. By words EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Gerchinsky, a decision on this will be made before the end of 2023.

The procedure for countries to join the EU involves the passage of several main stages, among which are the filing of an application, obtaining the status of a candidate, negotiations, ratification and integration. At the same time, formally, the status of a candidate does not mean the automatic start of negotiations on joining the EU.