EU to open accession talks with Bosnia

The European Council said in a press release late on Thursday that it made the decision building on the European Commission's recommendation from March 12.

"Your place is in our European family," European Council president Charles Michel wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Today’s decision is a key step forward on your EU path. Now the hard work needs to continue so Bosnia and Herzegovina steadily advances, as your people want," Michel added.

After applying for membership in 2016, Bosnia was granted candidate status in October 2022.

Recently, Bosnia has enacted laws addressing priorities outlined by the European Commission. The laws focus on democracy, state functionality, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform.

Negotiations are expected to span several years, requiring additional political and economic reforms.