Berlin (dts) – Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) sees progress in reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina and hopes that the country will soon join the EU. “Accession is overdue,” said Scholz after meeting with the Chairman of the State Presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović, in the Chancellery on Tuesday. “Because the promise of membership dates back over 20 years.”
The European Council's decision in March to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina was an important step, said Scholz. It is also a recognition of the progress that has been made in the country. “We are serious about the EU perspective. At the same time, however, this was also a call to push ahead with the necessary reforms decisively and quickly.”
“I am aware that this is a major challenge,” the Chancellor continued. However, accession opens up the prospect of participation in the prosperity of the European Union.
Bećirović referred to the strong trade between his country and the EU: “We want this exchange of goods to become even better.” A large part of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina is still in favor of early membership in the EU and NATO. Unfortunately, there is also a “Russian-oriented minority” that is against rapprochement with the European Union.
