Don’t frustrate Bosnia and Herzegovina on EU accession, foreign minister warns

SARAJEVO — EU leaders should open membership talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina later this month to support the country’s European ambitions and avoid “further frustration,” Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković said Tuesday.

Konaković was speaking at a press conference with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, who had arrived in Sarajevo on Monday evening for political talks ahead of the March 21-22 European Council. At that summit in Brussels, EU leaders are set to decide whether to open accession negotiations with the Western Balkan country.

“I hope that there will be no further frustration here,” Konaković told reporters, adding that it was “crucial” to keep in mind “what happens if Bosnia-Herzegovina does not continue on its European path.”

The minister stressed, however, that “we do not want or ask for a shortcut to become a member.”

Konaković said that the enlargement decision takes place in a “geopolitical” context — a reference to Moscow’s war in Ukraine as well as Russian and Chinese influence in the Western Balkans — and that “other politicians in the region” could use potential frustration “to their own advantage.”

The latter remark was particularly directed at Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, a Russian ally who is sharply critical of efforts to join the EU.

The U.N.-backed envoy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, warned this week that “we should not give” Russian President Vladimir Putin “the last decision … on whether Bosnia Herzegovina has a path to European integration.”

At Tuesday’s press conference, Baerbock spoke in favor of launching membership talks as long as necessary reforms, such as tackling corruption and abuse of power, are being implemented.

“We want to do everything we can to ensure that we take this path into the European Union together,” the German foreign minister said.

She added that she expected a report by the European Commission on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s reform progress, on which the decision on accession talks will be based, “very, very soon.”

“I would like all six countries of the Western Balkans to join” the EU, Baerbock said.

Hans von der Burchard reported from Sarajevo. Sejla Ahmatovic reported from Brussels.