"Having regard to the commitments thus undertaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in accordance with its conclusions of 15 December 2014, the Council notes that the necessary conditions contained therein have been met and agrees to proceed with the conclusion and entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina," the EU foreign ministers said in their conclusions from a regular monthly meeting held in Brussels.
The Council thus adopted the recommendation by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini that the SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina should enter into force. Her recommendation came after leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina had undertaken to implement the necessary reforms.
Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the SAA on June 16, 2008, and its ratification by all EU member states was completed in February 2011. However, the document did not become effective because Bosnia and Herzegovina was required to carry out several more reforms, in particular to implement the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the Sejdic-Finci case, which made it possible for members of ethnic minorities to run in elections for the state Presidency and the upper house of parliament.
"The Council calls on Bosnia and Herzegovina leadership to fully uphold its commitments and obligations, including those relating to the adaptation of the forthcoming SAA, and to remain engaged with the European Union under the renewed approach and maintain the positive momentum by developing an initial agenda for reforms in consultation with the European Union," the Council said in its conclusions.
Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic said that the SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina could enter into force this spring. When asked if the recently-adopted declaration of the Croat People's Assembly in Bosnia and Herzegovina was compatible with the EU's new approach towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, she said it was not.
"There's no room for it in the new approach. The new approach treats Bosnia and Herzegovina as a European country that needs to be pulled out of these constant internal re-examinations, boiling. Anyone who wishes well to the Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina knows that the European path is what can ensure progress for that country. This path will be taken by the EU and by Bosnia and Herzegovina," Pusic said.