Importance of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement for BiH and its citizens

Answering a journalist’s question on the importance of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens in a TV debate on BHT1 “Kako u Evropu” (The way to Europe), Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated the following:

Why do we need a Stabilisation and Association Agreement?  

The European integration of the Western Balkan countries is the ultimate goal of the EU’s policy for the region – the Stabilisation and Association process (SAP).

The centrepiece of the SAP is the conclusion of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) that represents a far-reaching contractual relationship between the EU and each Western Balkan country, entailing mutual rights and obligations.

The SAA is the first step in the EU integration process. It confirms that the prospect of EU membership is open for BiH.

It is the first political and economic agreement with the EU – further strengthening of BiH as a state in establishing partnership relations with the EU.

The SAA is a binding Treaty acting as a catalyst for change. Full implementation of the provisions of the SAA for BiH represents an essential step towards integration into the EU.

What does the Stabilisation and Association Agreement represent?  

The SAA provides for the creation of a free trade area between BiH and the EU for industrial products and most agricultural products.

BiH will establish trade relations with the largest market in the world; almost 500 million potential customers.

Increased business opportunities to export to the EU. BiH products can be exported customs-free while BiH can retain customs duties on EU products for a transition period. It is essential to use this time to strengthen BiH’s economy.

The SAA sets the formal framework for BiH to gradually align its legal and economic framework with those of the EU and to co-operate closely with the EU on a number of sectors at the heart of the internal market.

What does being part of a single market mean? Example: that a Hungarian engineer with a German university degree can work for a British factory based in Italy that is funded by a Belgian bank and uses electricity generated in France.

The SAA encourages the active development of regional co-operation by a specific Western Balkan country, with the support of the EU.

Opening of “Community Programmes” – possibility for BiH institutions to get EU funding in areas of: health, education, sport, culture, social policy, employment and environment.

Funding for postgraduate studies in EU, exchange programmes, scientific research, cultural cooperation, regional development…

Education example: in the last 20 years 1.5 million students in the EU were able to study in another country through EU support. So far, very few citizens of this country have taken advantage of this opportunity. This year the European Union will provide more scholarships for students from the Western Balkans to study in the EU. Do you want your children to be a part of this process?

Cultural projects example: BiH Oscar-winner Danis Tanovic received EU funding to help produce his film “No Man’s Land”; as did many other successful European films, some of which we had the pleasure to see during the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Research example: Today many BiH citizens, together with 2 billion other people in 217 countries, can talk to each other using GSM mobile phones. The GSM standard was developed through EU-funded research and has become a global standard.

By signing the SAA, BiH takes on the responsibility to harmonise its legislation with the EU. This will mean better protection for consumers, equal opportunities for all people regardless of religion, nationality etc. safer food and other products, more efficient public services, more transparent spending of taxpayers’ money.

SAA is not solely about relations with the EU. It is a programme for vital economic and structural reforms that will revitalise BiH’s administrative and economic structures. It is about your progress.

 

There is one additional reason why the EU is strongly committed to the EU process of BiH. After the tragedies of the ’90s’ we believe that the European process will help your country overcome the wounds of the past. To achieve these goals we need the help of all of you.”

Europa.ba