For the two previous weeks, the EU Delegation to BiH hosted a series of consultative meetings with over 30 representatives of CSOs and NGOs, international organizations, business community and BiH institutions in order to identify priorities that should be addressed in the 2014 Progress Report. The Progress Report is a comprehensive assessment produced and delivered annually by the European Commission, which is the only relevant document to evaluate the progress of Enlargement countries on their path toward the EU.

Representatives of the civil society and NGOs discussed key issues in the area of Human Rights, Protection of Minorities and the Judiciary. The participants also focused on the issues of anti-discrimination, protection of minorities, women, children and rights of LGBTI persons, mentioning a lack of implementation of laws in these areas. They condemned the existence of segregated education and attacks on media representatives. As expected, a lack of progress has been reported in all topics that were on the agenda, and many problematic issues that were covered in last year’s progress report were raised.

Representatives of the business community reported a lack of progress in building a market economy, highlighted the high administrative burden for both foreign and local investors, called for much needed tax and labour code reforms, reported attempts of all level of governments to introduce additional para fiscal burdens and complained about non-transparent decision-making and inefficient public administration.

All the inputs collected during the consultations will be used for production of the 2014 Progress Report that will be published in October.

To read the 2013 Progress Report, click here