Council of EU recommends granting EU candidate status to Bosnia

The recommendation is subject to confirmation by the European Council, the Council of the EU said in a statement.

"The EU enlargement policy is a strong anchor for peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability on our continent. With its conclusions, the Council is sending a strong message of its commitment to EU enlargement," Mikulas Bek, Czech minister for European affairs, said in the press release.

In October, the European Commission recommended to the Council of the EU that Bosnia be granted candidate status if the country takes steps to reinforce democracy, functionality of state institutions, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, guarantee media freedom and migration management.

Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016.