The Progress Report on
Political criteria
The complicated decision-making process contributed to delaying structural reforms and to reducing the country’s capacity to make progress towards European Union integration. The coordination mechanisms between the State-level and all authorities on EU-related matters require substantial strengthening.
The implementation of the public administration reform strategy continued, but coordination between the various administrations remained weak. The public administration reform process and the institutions in charge of its implementation lack the necessary political support to bring about reforms. A single State-level Ombudsman is functioning, but staffing and financial constraints hamper its effectiveness.
Little progress was made as regards the rule of law. A director and his deputies have been appointed to head the Anti-corruption Agency, but the Agency is not yet operational. Corruption remains a serious problem and is prevalent in many areas. Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
As regards human rights and the protection of minorities, despite some progress in implementing the Roma Strategy, the Roma minority continues to face very difficult living conditions and discrimination. Political pressure on the media continued, as did its ethnic bias. Cases of intimidation against journalists also continued. Despite the establishment of a coordination body in the Federation, the number of divided schools (’two schools under one roof’) and mono-ethnic schools remains a cause for concern. Significant progress was made with regard to the Sarajevo Declaration Process on refugees and displaced persons. Cooperation between the courts and prosecutors from
Economic criteria
The fiscal situation eased somewhat as a result of fiscal adjustment measures implemented under the programme of the International Monetary Fund and increased revenues. However, medium-term fiscal sustainability was severely hampered by the failure to adopt the Global Framework for Fiscal Policies 2011-2013. The commitment to structural reforms and sound public finances remained weak and uneven across the country, and the quality of public finances remained low. Despite some improvements, the business environment continues to be affected by administrative inefficiencies and a weak rule of law. Planned privatisation, restructuring of public enterprises and the liberalisation of network industries did not advance. Substantial efforts remain necessary in order to achieve a single economic space.
EU Legislation
Some progress has been made in aligning the country’s legislation, policies and capacity with European standards in areas such as free movement of goods, intellectual property, state aid, research, culture, transport and in a number of justice, freedom and security-related matters. In the field of energy, some progress was achieved regarding the supply of electricity to Brcko District and the launch of a comprehensive review of the electricity legislation.
Progress remains insufficient in other areas, such as the free movement of goods, persons and services, customs and taxation, competition, public procurement, employment and social policies, education, industry and SMEs, agriculture and fisheries, food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary sectors, environment and climate change, energy, information society and media and statistics. A comprehensive energy strategy needs to be adopted and a country-wide functioning national transmission company established. Sustained efforts in sensitive areas such as the fight against corruption and organised crime are also a priority.
EU-BOSNIA AND
1999: The EU proposes the new Stabilisation and Association Process for five countries of South-Eastern Europe, including
June 2000: The European Council states that all the Stabilisation and Association countries are “potential candidates” for EU membership.
June 2003: The Thessaloniki Summit confirms the EU perspective for these countries
Nov 2005: SAA negotiations between the EU and BiH are officially launched.
May 2008: Launch of the Visa liberalisation dialogue.
June 2008: Signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues.
May 2010: The European Commission adopted a proposal enabling citizens of
December 2010: Visa liberalization was granted for travel to the Schengen area to citizens from
For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/reports_oct_2011_en.htm
The Progress Report on
Political criteria
The complicated decision-making process contributed to delaying structural reforms and to reducing the country’s capacity to make progress towards European Union integration. The coordination mechanisms between the State-level and all authorities on EU-related matters require substantial strengthening.
The implementation of the public administration reform strategy continued, but coordination between the various administrations remained weak. The public administration reform process and the institutions in charge of its implementation lack the necessary political support to bring about reforms. A single State-level Ombudsman is functioning, but staffing and financial constraints hamper its effectiveness.
Little progress was made as regards the rule of law. A director and his deputies have been appointed to head the Anti-corruption Agency, but the Agency is not yet operational. Corruption remains a serious problem and is prevalent in many areas. Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
As regards human rights and the protection of minorities, despite some progress in implementing the Roma Strategy, the Roma minority continues to face very difficult living conditions and discrimination. Political pressure on the media continued, as did its ethnic bias. Cases of intimidation against journalists also continued. Despite the establishment of a coordination body in the Federation, the number of divided schools (’two schools under one roof’) and mono-ethnic schools remains a cause for concern. Significant progress was made with regard to the Sarajevo Declaration Process on refugees and displaced persons. Cooperation between the courts and prosecutors from
Economic criteria
The fiscal situation eased somewhat as a result of fiscal adjustment measures implemented under the programme of the International Monetary Fund and increased revenues. However, medium-term fiscal sustainability was severely hampered by the failure to adopt the Global Framework for Fiscal Policies 2011-2013. The commitment to structural reforms and sound public finances remained weak and uneven across the country, and the quality of public finances remained low. Despite some improvements, the business environment continues to be affected by administrative inefficiencies and a weak rule of law. Planned privatisation, restructuring of public enterprises and the liberalisation of network industries did not advance. Substantial efforts remain necessary in order to achieve a single economic space.
EU Legislation
Some progress has been made in aligning the country’s legislation, policies and capacity with European standards in areas such as free movement of goods, intellectual property, state aid, research, culture, transport and in a number of justice, freedom and security-related matters. In the field of energy, some progress was achieved regarding the supply of electricity to Brcko District and the launch of a comprehensive review of the electricity legislation.
Progress remains insufficient in other areas, such as the free movement of goods, persons and services, customs and taxation, competition, public procurement, employment and social policies, education, industry and SMEs, agriculture and fisheries, food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary sectors, environment and climate change, energy, information society and media and statistics. A comprehensive energy strategy needs to be adopted and a country-wide functioning national transmission company established. Sustained efforts in sensitive areas such as the fight against corruption and organised crime are also a priority.
EU-BOSNIA AND
1999: The EU proposes the new Stabilisation and Association Process for five countries of South-Eastern Europe, including
June 2000: The European Council states that all the Stabilisation and Association countries are “potential candidates” for EU membership.
June 2003: The Thessaloniki Summit confirms the EU perspective for these countries
Nov 2005: SAA negotiations between the EU and BiH are officially launched.
May 2008: Launch of the Visa liberalisation dialogue.
June 2008: Signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues.
May 2010: The European Commission adopted a proposal enabling citizens of
December 2010: Visa liberalization was granted for travel to the Schengen area to citizens from
For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/reports_oct_2011_en.htm