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28th Mar 2024

Brussels urges Bosnia 'not to miss opportunity' for closer EU ties

Amid concerns that Bosnian Serbs could follow Kosovo's example and withdraw their Serb Republic from Bosnia-Herzegovina, the European Commission has said the multi-ethnic country could in April sign a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), a key pact seen as the first step to EU membership.

"I would expect we should be able to sign an SAA with Bosnia-Herzegovina shortly, that is in April, on condition that Bosnia-Herzegovina can adopt the required laws concerning police reform," EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn said on Tuesday (26 February), according to Reuters.

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He added: "It's a great opportunity for the country and I trust the leaders will not miss this opportunity."

The positive signal comes during turbulent times in the region. Criticism of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence has been mounting in Bosnia-Herzegovina, too.

Thousands of Bosnian Serbs gathered in the city of Banja Luka on Tuesday, with their prime minister, Milorad Dodik, saying: "We only have a little patience left and this will not last for very long."

The Bosnian Serb parliament has already warned it would consider a referendum to secede from Bosnia.

The country, currently under international administration, consists of two governing entities - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily inhabited by Bosniaks and Croats, and Republika Srpska, home of Bosnia's Serbs.

Serbia

The EU enlargement commissioner also sent a message of encouragement to Serbia, saying the country "has a very real and tangible European perspective."

"I trust that the Serbian leaders will pay attention to the fact that 70 percent of the Serbian population is in favour of membership of the European Union," Mr Rehn added.

Serbia-EU ties have cooled after Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica refused earlier this month to allow the signing of a political agreement offering Belgrade closer trade relations, relaxed visa requirements and educational cooperation. He claimed the EU should have chosen between Serbia and Kosovo.

Meanwhile, Serbia continues to voice its opposition to Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.

Branislav Ristivojevic, a legal adviser to Prime Minister Kostunica, announced the country will file a complaint to the international court of justice against the US administration for recognising "the fake state of Kosovo".

"If the US do not annul their illegal decision, we will come to all international tribunals," Mr Ristivojevic was cited as saying by AFP news agency.

Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaci, has meanwhile warned Belgrade against efforts to rule Serb-dominated parts of Kosovo. "I am constantly in contact with NATO to prevent anyone from touching even one inch of Kosovo's territory", he said.

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