Following the adoption of a socio-economic reforms package by two Entity Governments in October 2019, and its endorsement by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina in January 2020, the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative Ambassador Johann Sattler will hold a joint working meeting of EU representatives, BiH policy makers and key international partners on economic reforms in Bijeljina on 12-13 February 2020.

Policy makers have been invited to discuss the way forward and next steps that would produce results both in terms of moving ahead in meeting EU requirements, particularly in the economic field, and bringing tangible improvements into lives of BiH citizens, along the lines of the commitments specified in the package of socio-economic reforms.

The ultimate aims are to improve the business environment and stimulate growth and competitiveness, depoliticise state-owned enterprises, reform the healthcare system and to provide better opportunities for youth, women and vulnerable groups.

In December 2019, the EU Council welcomed the European Commission Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for EU membership. In addition to the fourteen key priorities identified in the Opinion, BiH was encouraged to agree and implement socio-economic reform measures at all levels of government in line with the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) policy guidance.

In February, as part of its proposal to enhance the accession process, the European Commission proposed a stronger link with the economic reform programme process to help meet the economic criteria.