FOREIGN AFFAIRS Council meeting
Brussels, 22 July 2013

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1. “Recalling its December 2012 Conclusions, the Council expresses its concern about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued lack of progress on the path towards the European Union. As other countries of the region make progress, Bosnia and Herzegovina is lagging behind.

2. The Council regrets, in particular, the failure of BiH political leaders to implement over the last three years the ECtHR ruling in the Sejdic/Finci case, placing BiH in breach of its international obligations. The Council is concerned about possible implications in view of the 2014 elections and urges Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a matter of priority, to bring its Constitution into compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. A credible effort in this regard remains necessary for the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). Full implementation of the Sejdic/Finci ruling is a key element for a credible membership application to be considered by the EU.

3. The Council urges the BiH political leaders to agree on the implementation of this ruling as a matter of urgency and, in this context, to reengage constructively with the European Union, through the EU Special Representative/Head of Delegation. The European Union remains committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective.”