Under the Interim Agreement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, a series of formal meetings are held through the year to discuss the areas covered by the Agreement. They are an important part of relations between the two sides, in the light of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s status as a potential candidate country.

In this context, the European Commission regrets that the EU-BiH Interim Sub-committee on Trade, Industry, Customs, Taxation and Cooperation with other Candidate Countries, which was scheduled to be held in Brussels on 26 February, could not take place. The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina informed the European Commission that the necessary internal procedures for the approval of the Discussion Paper and the appointment of the BiH delegation had not been conducted. This is the third successive occasion that a Sub-committee meeting could not take place. The Commission regrets that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not using the well-established subcommittee-structure under the Interim Agreement; the formal dialogue between the country and the European Commission on the approximation to EU standards and policies is being systematically disrupted.

These meetings are needed to progress the country’s European integration path and such disruption slows down the process. It is another clear sign that an efficient coordination mechanism within the country is of the utmost importance. We strongly urge the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to resolve disagreements and get into a position to engage in constructive dialogue. That way issues that are of concern to citizens in general and relevant to the European Union future of the country in particular, can be addressed.