International studies, Vol. III No. 2, 2003.
Review article
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union (the Role of the Stability Pact)
Milan Vego
; Education Faculty, University in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
Even though the European Union has opened its door to Bosnia and Herzegovina wide open, still Bosnia and Herzegovina will have to pass that path on its own. ln the first place, it has to rash at intensive implementation of reforms. Namely, even after almost eight years that the Dayton Accords were adopted, numerous priority tasks still haven't been fulfilled. Human rights are still being violated on regular basis, there are almost 2 million refugees and displaced persons that haven't returned to their homes yet, and criminal and corruption rule the country. Regarding the economic development, the war has set Bosnia and Herzegovina back in 1945 and the GDP comes to 1800 US$. The European Union has determined 346 conditions which Bosnia and Herzegovina has to fulfil in order to be able to join the Union. The estimation of the Council of Ministers is that B-H will fulfil these conditions in the near future and thus become the full member of the EU in 2009. According to the prevalent opinion, the protectorate over B-H obstructs its entry into the EU. 1n this regard, goals and tasks of the Stability Pact, that put the emphasis on the regional cooperation of the countries of South-Eastern Europe, offer a great chance to Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, it will be quite impossible for Bosnia and Herzegovina to conduct and implement the reforms as required by the EU as long as it finds itself in the situation and conditions as it has so far.
Keywords
Bosnia and Herzegovina; European Union; Stability Pact
Hrčak ID:
286824
URI
Publication date:
15.7.2003.
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