On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged EU member states to approve the start of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina,

signaling the country's readiness for EU membership talks.

Von der Leyen's remarks came ahead of the European summit scheduled for March 21 and 22, during which leaders will deliberate on the EU's future expansion. The Commission advocates commencing accession discussions with Bosnia and Herzegovina at this juncture.

Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its application for EU membership in 2016 and attained candidate status in December 2022. However, before formal accession negotiations could commence, Sarajevo needed to fulfill several conditions.

Von der Leyen commended Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress, stating, "Bosnia and Herzegovina has made impressive strides towards our objectives. In just over a year, it has achieved more progress than in the previous decade."

The country has aligned itself fully with EU foreign and security policies and has passed significant legislation, including measures to combat economic crime and terrorist financing. Progress has also been made in areas such as migration and cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

"While further advancements are necessary for EU membership, Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrates its ability to meet the membership criteria and its desire to join our community," Von der Leyen remarked. "The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies within our Union."

EU enlargement has gained heightened political significance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Presently, nine countries hold candidate status: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Photo by Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia commons.