Bosnia-Herzegovina must place its European agenda at the very core of its political processes, said Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement in his interview to Nezavisne Novine, a Banja Luka-based newspaper.

NN: I have read an interview of yours where you said that the EU had a new approach to enlargement and that the approach would start with Montenegro. What is it about and how will it affect BiH?

FÜLE: I’ll be quite clear – the membership criteria are identical for all. Accession negotiations are transparent and the methodology is well-established. There are no changes in that respect. The only change we have introduced recently is the new approach to justice, fundamental rights and, in the area of justice, freedom and security. We introduced it as a result of the lesson we learnt from previous enlargement rounds. These two areas are special in a way, which is why a track record of the requirements fulfilled is required, and it is of vital importance for completing the negotiations. In order for us to give enough time to Montenegro and other candidate countries to prove that they are making progress in these two areas, they will be the first ones to be opened, based on action plans to be developed. The new approach implies interim benchmarks, which will be added to the closing benchmarks that are already in place. Moreover, the Commission will have a possibility to come up with corrective measures, such as a temporary halt of negotiations in other areas if the progress in these areas slows down. The new approach will also be used in the case of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

NN: You have seen how much we are struggling to implement the ruling in Sejdić-Finci which is not in the least as complex as some other requirements ahead of us. How are we going to meet all of them when we are experiencing problems with this one?

FÜLE: BiH can certainly fulfil the requirements of the Council of Europe and EU in Sejdić-Finci. It is a matter of political will to reach a common vision and define the direction your country needs to take. However, in order to have a common vision, political agreements should be translated into specific action. And in June the main political representatives in BiH agreed on the EU Road Map with the clear steps to be taken so that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SSA) could take effect and the requirements for credible application could be met. It is unfortunate that they failed to reach agreement because after all it will be BiH citizens who will suffer the consequences of the delays in EU integration and missed opportunities to get closer to other Europeans. I’d like to make myself quite clear: an amendment pertaining the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in Sejdić-Finci, which will be based on political consensus and submitted to the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, remains your obligation. We expect concrete implementation. We expect the political leaders to fulfil the obligations they have undertaken.

NN: We are already late with the implementation. Is there enough time for us to fulfil all of the requirements in the time period agreed in Brussels?

FÜLE: The initial deadlines have been missed. Now, whether the next deadlines from the Road Map will be fully met or not will depend on BiH’s moves. The EU will be there to help you and even provide financial support if necessary. However, if your question is whether there will be any new initiatives from our part at this moment, then the answer is – no. We do not plan any new initiatives but are ready to look at and use all possibilities the high-level dialogue we have been conducting offers. The Road Map, which the political leaders and institutions of your country agreed with us, is quite clear. The steps arising from it are bases on what your leaders deem feasible.  We are with BiH citizens, we support your EU membership aspirations. However, your leaders must do their part of  the job. There is no real alternative to the EU membership.

NN: What is the most realistic date of our credible application?

FÜLE: A precise answer to this questions is defined in the European Council’s conclusions: “The key elements of a credible membership application the EU may consider are the full implementation of the ruling in Sejdić-Finci and satisfactory evidence concerning the implementation of the obligations arising from the SAA and Interim Agreement”. Equally precise would be a shorter answer: once you have implemented the Road Map.

NN: Do you think that BiH is actually investing enough efforts on its path to the membership? Is there an actual and true desire on our part to do it?

FÜLE: Well, the question is not whether enough efforts are being invested. Bosnia-Herzegovina must place its European agenda at the very core of its political processes. BiH must overcome the narrow interests of political parties. Political leaders in your country do not invest enough efforts in the European agenda and it would be difficult to deny it. The only path to the EU membership is the path of dialogue and compromise. BiH citizens deserve better. A particular reason is that the surveys consistently show that a large majority of BiH citizens support the EU membership.

NN: You have mentioned our citizens’ support to the membership; however, we have lately seen statements of public figures questioning BiH’s European future, references being made to the economic crisis in the EU and that the situation there is no longer what it used to be several years ago. What is your message to BiH citizens?

FÜLE: The EU remains committed to the European future of BiH and Western Balkans as a whole. Over the past year, we have seen a number of Western Balkan countries progressing towards the EU. BiH can take the same path, but its movement must be based on political dialogue and compromise. On the other hand, you see that the line of countries desiring the EU membership does not get and shorter. In my opinion, this is the most significant proof that there is still trust in the EU. On our part, we are doing our best to overcome our financial and economic problems. As a result, the EU will emerge stronger, as has always been the case with the past crises. So, the current problems of the Union should not discourage your long-term strategic priorities.

NN: Are media reports that the European Commission is going to analyse the privatisation process in BiH and corruption cases in the past true?

FÜLE: The Commission is carefully monitoring the rule of law and fight against corruption in particular. These issues are at the very core of the political criteria countries must meet to join the EU.

NN: Why do you find it so important?

FÜLE: BiH citizens are paying the corruption dearly and it is a huge burden. The political price you are paying reflects in the lack of trust in politics. The social price reflects in increased inequalities, social exclusion and reduced social capital. And the economic prices reflects in reduced revenues and impaired economic growth.

Progress Report

NN: The regular annual progress report on BiH will be out soon. Could you give us at least a brief insight into what we will be writing about soon?

FÜLE: The content of the report can hardly be a secret. It is quite clear whether the job has been done over the past year or not. Just as any year, the report will look at those areas that are key for progressing towards the EU.

For each area, we’ll analyse whether there has been any progress and to which extent.

NN: Some media have also reported that the EU has special requirements concerning Serbia’s treatment of BiH. Is it true?

FÜLE: There are no changes in the EU’s policy towards Serbia. Serbia should continue fulfilling the SAA requirements, including respect for the Dayton Agreement and BiH’s integrity, as well as the need to have good neighbourly relations.

(Dejan Šajinović)