News: 2022 Enlargement Oackage: European Commission calls for candidate country status for Bosnia and Herzegovina and warns Serbia

The European Commission has adopted the 2022 Enlargement Package, containing an assessment of the progress made by the Western Balkans and Turkey towards European integration.

Following the reforms undertaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina under the rule of law, the Commission invited the European Council to grant the country candidate country status, The European Parliament will be asked to give its opinion on the Commission’s proposal.

On the Serbian side, the Commission stressed the delay in the country’s progress towards European alignment, inviting Serbia to step up its efforts in pursuing the required reforms and in aligning its foreign policy with the Union’s recommendations - including joining the sanctions imposed on Russia and recognising Kosovo’s independence.

The report aroused the dissatisfaction of the Serbian ruling class, since the Minister of the Interior, Aleksandar Vulin, reiterated his refusal to comply with the demands concerning Russia and Kosovo, while President Vucic criticized European pressure, However, it reaffirmed its commitment to reform.