CONCERN OVER STRONG INFLUENCE OF RUSSIA AND CHINA

Report of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee on Bosnia and Herzegovina

The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has adopted a report reaffirming strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward European Union membership. The report emphasizes that the accession process is merit-based and grounded in the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country, as well as the equality of all its citizens.

The report calls for the acceleration of reforms necessary for progress in accession negotiations and welcomes the European Council’s decision to open negotiations in the new geopolitical context following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. However, it also expresses concern over the stagnation of the reform process.

The Committee specifically condemns secessionist rhetoric and policies, particularly those promoted by Milorad Dodik and the leadership of the Republika Srpska entity, stating that such actions undermine the constitutional order of BiH and threaten the country’s European integration. The report expresses serious concern over foreign influence and disinformation campaigns, especially those originating from Russia and China within the RS entity, and calls on BiH authorities to improve coordination and alignment with EU policies.

The report highlights the need to form a strong negotiating team to represent BiH in accession talks and, in this context, stresses the urgent need for judicial reform and strengthening the fight against corruption. These steps could unlock significant EU financial support through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the Reform and Growth Instrument.

The Committee underscores the importance of inclusive and transparent reforms that would transform the Dayton Peace Agreement into a sustainable constitutional framework capable of ensuring accountable governance, overcoming ethnic divisions, and enabling BiH’s long-term progress toward EU membership.

The report of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee was adopted with 56 votes in favor, 13 against, and 5 abstentions, and will be submitted for a vote in the European Parliament at the upcoming plenary session.